Legends Who Changed The Game
Some athletes leave marks that go beyond trophies and medals. They change how we see sports and inspire millions around the globe. This list brings together 20 iconic names, each known for their unique skills and the countries they proudly represent. Keep reading to discover who made history.
1. Simone Biles: United States
She holds a record of 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals, one of the most decorated in gymnastics history. Biles revolutionized the sport with moves so difficult they're named after her. Beyond medals, she's become a powerful advocate for mental health in sports.
Agência Brasil Fotografias on Wikimedia
2. Cathy Freeman: Australia
Freeman overcame intense pressure to win gold in the 400m at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Her victory symbolized reconciliation and national pride, inspiring many from marginalized communities. She was the first Indigenous Australian to win an individual Olympic gold medal.
Jason Pini/AusAID on Wikimedia
3. Hermann Maier: Austria
Known as the "Herminator," Maier's aggressive skiing style helped him win four overall World Cup titles and two Olympic medals. He survived a near-fatal motorcycle accident in 2001. Though that nearly cost him his right leg, Maier returned in 2003 and later won a World Cup race.
Gregor Tatschl from Österreich on Wikimedia
4. Usain Bolt: Jamaica
Bolt's world record of 9.58 seconds in the 100m at the 2009 World Championships remains legendary. His dominance across three Olympics and multiple World Championships set him apart statistically. He's the fastest man ever, with a showman's flair in his charismatic celebrations.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal
Ronaldo is one of football's greatest, holding records for the most UEFA Champions League and international goals. With five Ballon d'Or wins, league titles across Europe, and leading Portugal to Euro 2016 glory, his legacy is defined by relentless ambition, skill, and record-breaking achievements.
6. Wayne Gretzky: Canada
"The Great One" holds all-time NHL records for goals (894), assists (1,963), and points (2,857). Over his 20-season career, Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers. He remains one of the most influential figures in hockey history.
7. Barbora Špotáková: Czech Republic
Špotáková's javelin technique combines power with precision, leading her to two Olympic gold medals and three World Championship titles. She set the world record in 2008, the longest-standing world record in women's javelin at the time of her retirement.
8. Caroline Wozniacki: Denmark
Wozniacki's consistent baseline play helped her stay at the top of women's tennis, holding the world No.1 ranking for 71 weeks (not consecutively). Through injuries, she continued a 15-year-long career, where she won the 2018 Australian Open, her first Grand Slam title.
Tatiana from Moscow, Russia on Wikimedia
9. Novak Djokovic: Serbia
As one of tennis’s greatest players, Djokovic holds 24 Grand Slam singles titles and has ranked world No. 1 for 428 weeks. He is the only male player to have won each Grand Slam at least three times, completing a triple Career Grand Slam.
10. Jon Rahm: Spain
Rahm won the 2021 U.S. Open and the 2023 Masters Tournament, solidifying his status as one of Spain's greatest golfers. He first reached world No.1 in July 2020 and has held the top ranking multiple times throughout his career. Rahm continues to influence a new generation of European golfers.
Federación de Golf de Madrid on Wikimedia
11. Lasha Talakhadze: Georgia
In 2021, Talakhadze cleaned and jerked 267 kg, breaking his own record. This makes him the strongest weightlifter in history. He's a seven-time world champion and holds all three world records in super-heavyweight lifting.
Mohammad Hassanzadeh on Wikimedia
12. Giannis Antetokounmpo: Greece
Born stateless in Athens to Nigerian immigrants, he didn't get Greek citizenship until 2013. That same year, the Bucks drafted him. In 2021, he led the Bucks into their first NBA championship in 50 years, scoring 50 points in Game 6 of the Finals and earning NBA Finals MVP honors.
13. Mutaz Essa Barshim: Qatar
Tokyo 2021 gave fans that unforgettable moment: Barshim choosing to share gold with his injured rival, Gianmarco Tamberi. Barshim cleared 2.37 meters—only Javier Sotomayor has ever jumped higher. Barshim has won three World Championship gold medals and is one of the greatest high jumpers of all time.
Doha Stadium Plus Qatar from Doha, Qatar on Wikimedia
14. Sachin Tendulkar: India
He debuted for India at 16 and faced Waqar Younis in his first innings. After 24 years and 100 centuries, he retired with 34,357 international runs. India gave him the Bharat Ratna—the country's highest civilian award—shortly after his retirement.
15. Yuzuru Hanyu: Japan
Yuzuru was the first to land a quadruple loop in an ISU competition in 2016. His Olympic golds in 2014 and 2018 made him the first male skater in 66 years to win back-to-back Olympic titles. Japanese fans call him "Ice Prince"—and buy out entire arenas to see his solo ice shows.
16. Eddy Merckx: Belgium
He won 11 Grand Tours and about 525 races. They called him The Cannibal because he didn't let others win, even in small races. In 1969, Merckx won the Tour de France's general, points, and mountains classifications.
17. Hadi Saei: Iran
Saei is Iran's most decorated Olympian in Taekwondo, but after retiring, he won a city council seat in Tehran. Despite fracturing his right hand in his first match at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he fought through the pain to win gold.
18. Eliud Kipchoge: Kenya
Kipchoge shattered the limits of human endurance when he became the first person to run a marathon in under two hours in 2019. Though not an official record, his feat redefined distance running. Setting the official marathon world record of just over 2 hours at the 2022 Berlin Marathon, he spotlighted Kenyan athleticism.
The Wolf at Flickr.com on Wikimedia
19. Ole Einar Bjørndalen: Norway
In biathlon, you ski, then shoot. Bjørndalen won 13 Olympic medals, including four in Salt Lake City alone. He skied 15 kilometers, then shot five targets perfectly. He also holds 45 world championship medals, making him Norway's most successful winter athlete.
20. Richie McCaw: New Zealand
McCaw's win rate is an absurd 88.5%. He played 148 test matches and captained 110. His bruised body carried the All Blacks to two World Cup wins. At one point, McCaw played a full test with a fractured foot. After retirement, he became a commercial helicopter pilot.
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