Inspiring Sportsmen

A selection of inspirational sportsmen whose contribution extended beyond a mere sporting achievement, but also through the strength of their personality.

jesse-owens Jesse Owens 1913 – 1980

An all-round American athlete who won 4 gold medals in the Berlin Olympics of 1936. Mr Adolf Hitler was far from amused and refused to shake Jesse’s hand. For 25 years, Jesse Owens held the world long jump record. He had to endure racism in his native America, but he also retained a dignity and humility in promoting a more equal society.

donald-bradman Don Bradman 1908 – 2001

The Australian cricketer that most followers believe was the greatest batsman of all time. Nicknamed ‘ The Don’,  he ended a 20-year career with an average just a smidgeon short of 100 – an average far ahead of any other cricketer. He remained a great ambassador for the sport for many years.

Eric_Liddell Eric Liddell (1902 –- 1945)

Eric Liddell won Olympic gold in the 400m in the 1924 Paris Olympics. He is also famed for turning down the opportunity to compete in the 100m because the heats were on a Sunday and it conflicted with his strong religious views. Eric was an accomplished sportsman also representing Scotland at rugby union. He later became a Christian missionary in China and was interned by the Japenese in a prisoner camp. He was appreciated for his courage, honesty and selflessness.

seb-coe Sebastion Coe ( 1956 –

Now Lord ‘Seb’ Coe this British middle-distance runner won 4 medals at the 1980 & 1984 Olympics. He also set many indoor and outdoor world records. After retiring from sport he was ennobled and became a key member of the 2012 Olympic organising team.

Mark_Spitz Mark Spitz  (1950 -)

A notable American athlete his powerful swimming career included winning seven gold medals at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. He is a member of the US Olympic, The International and the Jewish Museum of Sports Halls of Fame.

JackNicklaus Jack Nicholas (1940 –

The golfer nicknamed ‘The Golden Bear’ – Jack Nicholas has won many championships over a 25-year career including 6 Masters, 5 PGA Championships, 4 United States Opens and 3 British Opens.

Bjorn_Borg Bjorn Borg  (1956 –

Bjorn Borg was the Swedish number one tennis player who won five Wimbledon singles titles and 11 Grand slam titles overall.

Carl_Lewis Carl Lewis (1961 – )

Carl Lewis was an American track and field athlete who won 10 Olympic medals. He qualified for the American team in 5 Olympics from 1980-1996.

Basil_D'Oliveira_1968 Basil D’Oliveira CBE   (1931 – )

D’Oliveira was born and raised in South Africa during the apartheid regime and barred from first-class cricket except in the coloured league. He emigrated to England, became a British citizen and a member of the England cricket team. Controversially he was not initially selected to tour South Africa in 1968-69 but after pressure and a change of heart, he was included in the team only for the South African prime minister to make it clear he was not welcome and the tour was cancelled. This was the start of a change in sporting apartheid in South Africa.

David Beckham  OBE 1975 –

One of the worlds best-recognised sportsmen due to his football (soccer) career that has included playing for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and now LA Galaxy in the US Major League. Beckham’s career began on a professional contract with Manchester United, making his debut at the age of 17. He married Victoria Adams  Posh Spice  from the Spice Girls in 1999

imran-khan Imran Khan

Great Pakistani cricketer who in 1992, aged 39, came out of retirement to lead Pakistan to their first and only victory in the Cricket World Cup. Went on to become an influential humanitarian and political figure in Pakistan. Khan is now a leading politician in Pakistan.

Sachin_tendulkar Sachin Tendulkar

Immortal Indian batting great, who tops the all-time test run scores. Also with the most number of test centuries – 50.

roger_bannister Roger Bannister

Roger Bannister became the first athlete to break the four-minute barrier for the mile. It was a record some had felt impossible. He did this while also training to be a doctor at Oxford University.

Emil_Zatopek_ Emile Zatopek
At the 1952 Olympics, the ‘Czech Locomotive’ set an unprecedented feat of winning gold in the 5,000m, 10,000m and marathon. A feat never since emulated. Stood up for democracy and reform after the turmoil of the Prague Spring in the 1960s.

usain-bolt Usain Bolt

Bolt captured the world’s imagination at the 2008 Olympics, smashing the 100m and 200m World Record with a seemingly effortless performance. Bolt went on to dominate Olympic sprinting for the next 12 years. His cheery personality made him one of the most recognised person on the planet.

pele Pele (1940 – )

Perhaps the world’s greatest footballer.
Also symbolises the great Brazilian flair of the 1960s and 1970s which gave so much joy. Pele remained a UNESCO ambassador.

Muhammad_Ali2 Muhammad Ali (1942 – )

The greatest boxer and perhaps most iconic sportsman of the twentieth century. Muhammad Ali had talent, charm, wit and personality. At the height of his boxing career, he was called up to the Vietnam War. He refused to fight because he felt the war was wrong. He lost his titles and was banned from boxing. But, he came back a few years later.

Roger_Federer Roger Federer

Perhaps the greatest tennis player of all time. Federer has won over 22 grand slam singles titles. He was continuously ranked in the top ten from October 2002 to November 2016. Considered a true gent of the sport.

Babe_Ruth Babe Ruth

Great Baseball player. One of the most prolific home run hitters of all time. Babe Ruth was a great personality who captured the spirit of the roaring twenties.

 

See also:

Maria_Sharapova Inspiring Female athletes

Over 50 famous female athletes who have made contributions to tennis, football, cycling, athletics, gymnastics, golf and swimming.

ali100 Famous sporting personalities – 100 Famous sporting personalities, including Muhammad Ali, Nadia Comaneci, Pele and Jesse Owens.