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Greatest Olympic Performer ever...your say!

Discussion in 'Sports Forum' started by rbell, Aug 16, 2008.

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Who is the greatest olympic performer ever? (or is it "other?")

  1. Eric Heiden (1980)

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  2. Nadia Comaneci (1976, 1980)

    3 vote(s)
    23.1%

  3. US Olympic Hockey Team (1980)

    1 vote(s)
    7.7%

  4. Al Oerter (1956, 1960, 1964, 1968)

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  5. Carl Lewis (1984, 1988, 1992, 1996)

    2 vote(s)
    15.4%

  6. Jesse Owens (1936)

    1 vote(s)
    7.7%

  7. Michael Phelps (2004, 2008)

    6 vote(s)
    46.2%

  8. Mark Spitz (1968, 1972))

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  9. Bob Beamon (1968)

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  10. Larissa Latinya (1956, 1960, 1964)

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Top Posters
  1. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    OK gang, in no particular order...here are the contestants for "greatest olympic performer."
    • Eric Heiden (sweeping every distance in speed skating--from a 500m sprint to 10000m distance (also 5 olympic & 1 world record), 1980 winter games).
    • Nadia Comaneci (9 total medals in 1976 & 1980; 7 perfect 10's and 5 medals in 1976).
    • US Olympic Hockey Team (the "Miracle on Ice" of the 1980 winter games).
    • Al Oerter (winning the gold medal in the discus--1956, 1960, 1964, 1968 olympics--he and Carl Lewis only ones to ever to win gold 4 in consecutive olympics in same event).
    • Carl Lewis: 9 golds in track (includes missing one Olympics due to boycott; he and Al Oerter only ones to ever win gold in 4 consecutive olympics in same event).
    • Jesse Owens: the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, and long jump in hostile Berlin, Germany in 1936 (equalled by Lewis in 1984, a boycott games, in LA).
    • Michael Phelps: 8 golds, 7 world records in swimming in Beijing, 2008.
    • Mark Spitz: 7 golds, 7 WR's in Munich, 1972.
    • Bob Beamon: 29'2 1/2" leap in Mexico City, 1968 (besting the previous mark by over 2'; not broken for nearly 30 years).
    • Larissa Latinya: the Soviet gymnast who has won more medals than anyone in history (18, from 1956-1964).
    • Other/not listed: (you tell us!)
     
    #1 rbell, Aug 16, 2008
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2008
  2. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    A good question, and difficult to vote on. I personally think longevity has to come in to play in true greatness.

    Saying that, if Phelps returns in 2012 and wins a few medals I would say he would have to be considered, since he already has 14 golds, far more than anyone else.
     
    #2 NaasPreacher (C4K), Aug 17, 2008
  3. Bob Alkire

    Bob Alkire New Member

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    I agree but not in the way I think you mean it. All is bigger the younger that one is, so I picked Jesse Owens. All I knew and heard of the greatest olympic performer as a young fellow was Jim Thorpe and Jessie Owens, so I would have to pick one of those two, I picked Jesse Owens here, but you didn't have Jim Thorpe's name down, but it would be a pickem to me.
     
    #3 Bob Alkire, Aug 17, 2008
  4. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    I also wanted to vote for Carl Lewis, Mark Spitz, and Michael Phelps, but couldn't. so the woman gets my vote!
     
    #4 SaggyWoman, Aug 18, 2008
  5. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    I picked Phelps .01 seconds ahead of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey team.

    But it's tough comparing...races vs. judged/scored events; individual vs. team; events in which all athletes compete together vs. events in which they go one at a time...

    A case could be made for many of these.

    If I had to rank them:

    1. Phelps.
    2. US Hockey
    3. Heiden. He basically did what Phelps did...won every race. He did one other thing: He won sprints (500m), and distance (10,000m), and all in between. No one else, ever, has come close.
    4. Lewis. Had 1984 been a full slate, he might have moved up in my book. But nonetheless a case could be made for him. There's no doubt he was the least likeable of the whole bunch.
    5. Tie between Nadia & Spitz...I couldn't decide. Spitz for much the reason I chose Phelps; but he's not as far up because he was more "specialized" and the competition wasn't quite as strong. Nadia was absolutely dominant for one olympics; it was certainly the best performance of its day.

    The rest fall down the list.
     
    #5 rbell, Aug 18, 2008
  6. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    I voted for the "Miracle on Ice." A bunch of American college kids took on the Russians, a professional team if there ever was one and the kids WON. It was amazing. The Russians were in a state of shock.
     
    #6 Crabtownboy, Aug 18, 2008
  7. Palatka51

    Palatka51 New Member

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    The guy who pulled up lame in a sprint and started hopping to the finish line only to stumble and fall. Then his dad came out of the stands to carry him across the line to finish. He thought it not embarrassing to stumble to the finish before tens of thousands watching. :thumbsup:

    He was the greatest Olympian of all time.
     
    #7 Palatka51, Aug 18, 2008
  8. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    You speak of Derrick Redmond, the 400m runner, of Great Britain. (1992 Barcelona Games)

    Great moment.

    Maybe Derrick's father was the greatest Olympian.
     
    #8 rbell, Aug 18, 2008
  9. Bob Alkire

    Bob Alkire New Member

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    For the most part on this the newer it is the higher it is rated. Is that because we don't remember well or we only see and know of today as great?
     
    #9 Bob Alkire, Aug 22, 2008
  10. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    Jim Thorpe.
     
    #10 KenH, Aug 22, 2008
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