In recent Olympics Team GB has benefited from increased funding for sports, especially successful ones, and has created some of the most iconic sportspeople of a generation. But who is the greatest GB Olympian?
Great Britain go into the Rio Olympics, which officially start a week on Friday, hoping to build upon the success of their home games four years ago. The likes of Jessica Ennis-Hill, Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford will be under pressure from the whole world as they try to defend their titles whilst some will be hoping to make a name for themselves with first medals.
But what makes the greatest Olympian sustained success or the most gold medals? Well according to the 2000 people that Simon Jersey, the official kit supplier of the team, polled on the topic the answer is Sir Chris Hoy. His six gold medals beats rower Sir Steve Redgrave and his five Olympics in a row into second place.
A spokesperson for the company said, "It's true that Chris Hoy has one of the most successful careers in British sporting history.
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"He's the most decorated of all, so we aren't surprised that he's been voted the greatest British Olympian of all time above so many other famous names. And many will remember Sir Steve Redgrave winning his fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal which has earned him his runner-up spot."
It's a pretty solid list with gold medalists Daley Thompson, Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Kelly Holmes, Andy Murray, Bradley Wiggins and Sebastian Coe making up the top nine however in 10th and 11th, ahead of many other medalists, are Sir Roger Bannister and Paula Radcliffe neither who won an Olympic medal of any colour. Just because you know a guy broke the four minute mile or a marathon runner took a dump on the streets of London it doesn't make them a great Olympian!
Anyway enough of that mini rant, here's the list in full. Let us know who your number one British Olympian is:
TOP 50 BEST BRITISH OLYMPIANS OF ALL TIME
- 1. Chris Hoy (Cycling 2000-2012)
- 2. Steve Redgrave (Rowing 1984-2000)
- 3. Daley Thompson (Athletics 1980-1988)
- 4. Mo Farah (Athletics 2008-2012)
- 5. Jessica Ennis-Hill (Athletics 2012-)
- 6. Kelly Holmes (Athletics 1996-2004)
- 7. Andy Murray (Tennis 2008-)
- 8. Bradley Wiggins (Cycling 2012-)
- 9. Seb Coe (Athletics 1980-1984)
- 10. Roger Bannister (Athletics 1952)
- 11. Paula Radcliffe (Marathon/athletics 1996-2008)
- 12. Victoria Pendleton (Cycling 2004-2012)
- 13. Ben Ainslie (Sailing 1996-2012)
- 14. Steve Ovett - (Athletics - 1976-1980)
- 15. Sally Gunnell (Athletics 1988-1996)
- 16. Steve Cram (Athletics 1984)
- 17. Tom Daley (Diving 2008-)
- 18. Tanni Grey Thompson (Wheelchair racing 1988-2004)
- 19. Rebecca Adlington (Swimming 2008-2012
- 20. Colin Jackson (Athletics 1992-2000)
- 21. Mary Peters (Athletics 1972)
- 22. Fatima Whitbread (Athletics 1984-1988)
- 23. Matthew Pinsent (Rowing 1992-2004)
- 24. Sharron Davies (Swimming 1976-1990)
- 25. Beth Tweddle (Gymnastics (2004-2012)
- 26. Denise Lewis (Athletics 2000-2004)
- 27. Jonathan Edwards (Athletics 1996-2000)
- 28. Tessa Sanderson (Athletics 1976-1996)
- 29. Chris Boardman (Cycling 1992)
- 30. Roger Black (Athletics 1992-1996)
- 31. David Weir (Paralympic athletics 1996-2012)
- 32. James Cracknell (Rowing 1996-2004)
- 33. Ellie Simmonds (Paralympic swimming 2008-2012)
- 34. Kriss Akabusi (Athletics 1984-1992)
- 35. Greg Rutherford (Athletics 2008-)
- 36. David Hemery (Athletics 1968-1972)
- 37. Amir Khan (Boxing 2004)
- 38. Laura Trott (Cycling 2012-)
- 39. Mary Rand (Athletics 1964)
- 40. Alistair Brownlee (Triathlon 2012-)
- 41. Steve Backley (Athletics 1996-2004)
- 42. Eric Liddell (Athletics 1924)
- 43. Nicola Adams (Boxing 2012)
- 44. Anita Lonsbrough (Swimming 1960)
- 45. Harold Abrahams (Athletics 1920-1924)
- 46. Louis Smith (Gymnastics 2008-2012)
- 47. Christine Ohuruogu (Athletics 2008-2012)
- 48. Jonny Brownlee (Triathlon 2012-)
- 49. Katherine Grainger (Rowing 2000-2012)
- 50. Sarah Storey (Paralympic swimming and cycling 1992 - 2012)
(Via Simon Jersey)
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