I think you need to do something more interesting with your body than ride a bike to be considered the greatest athlete. Lance might be a great all-around athlete, but he sure doesn't show it sitting on a bike pumping his legs. I think that's why people think of great basketball players, because you see so much diversity in what they do athletically, more so probably than other sports. I suppose you could look at some of those combined olympic sports.
I think you need to do something more interesting with your body than ride a bike to be considered the greatest athlete. Lance might be a great all-around athlete, but he sure doesn't show it sitting on a bike pumping his legs. I think that's why people think of great basketball players, because you see so much diversity in what they do athletically, more so probably than other sports. I suppose you could look at some of those combined olympic sports.
I guess winning Tour de France 5 years on the trot is no big deal
I guess winning Tour de France 5 years on the trot is no big deal
It's absolutely great in terms of biking. But biking isn't diagnostic of overall athletic ability to the same extent as other sports such as basketball. If you had phrased the question as "greatest accomplishment in a sport" then Lance's 5-peat would be up there pretty high, along with Tiger's 4 consecutive majors.
I guess winning Tour de France 5 years on the trot is no big deal
what about being a better hitter than anyone else in baseball during the twilight of his career? or being the best basketball player of his generation? bonds and jordan have dominated their sports during their generations. does that make them the best athletes in the world?? sorry kelib, but your logic is flawed.
It's absolutely great in terms of biking. But biking isn't diagnostic of overall athletic ability to the same extent as other sports such as basketball. If you had phrased the question as "greatest accomplishment in a sport" then Lance's 5-peat would be up there pretty high, along with Tiger's 4 consecutive majors.
exactly. yet more reasoning for why this thread is pointless...
It sure as hell isn't Tiger or any golfer. Any sport which has a seniors tour and in which players in their 40s and 50s are still able to compete somewhat competently if not at quite the same level as with athletes in their 20s has a limited amount of athleticism involved. To be excellent at golf is certainly an accomplishment to be respected and one that may be just as difficult to hone as those in more athletic sports but that doesn't make it any more athletic than billiards or curling for example.
Besides, everyone knows that Bo Jackson is the greatest athlete ever!
Although, whoever brought up Wade Boggs and his tongue, reminded me of another ballplayer, Pete Rose. Not only is Pete Rose the all time hits leader but he also is the self-proclaimed World's Greatest Pussy Eater. That's a powerful argument for world's greatest athlete.
a clarification would be helpful - do you mean most accomplished? Or do you mean most dominant in their sport? or do you mean most athletic? (ie: highest VOx capacity, etc)
Why is it that people assume golfers are not athletes. Well of course Craig Staedler is overweight. But look at Tiger (who supposedly benches 300lbs) is a fitness freak. And most of the young guns are also athletic and strong.
Certainly the greatest athlete should not only possess brawn, but skill too. You could then add Gretzky, McEnroe in the skill department.
Again it boils down to asking who is pound for pound the fittest or who has most dominated their sport.
To be excellent at golf is certainly an accomplishment to be respected and one that may be just as difficult to hone as those in more athletic sports but that doesn't make it any more athletic than billiards or curling for example.
Golf is certainly more athletic than curling (don't even speak of billiards : why not chess ? ). people never question if hurling is athletic. Throwing a golf ball at over 300 yards is certainly athletic. Hitting a ball in a deep feet with a long iron is even more : i never succeed this, nor even any amator, and it's not only a question of technical skill, it's a question also of raw power.
Two of the best players of the world are athletic : Tiger woods ,and Ernie Els. Tiger is well known and make a physical training each day. Ernie els is an athlete, in his youth he belonged to a south africa team of rugby.
Of course is not just only beeing athletic, there is technic, strategy, mental skill (this is the most difficult part) ...
I guess winning Tour de France 5 years on the trot is no big deal
It certainly is, but Indurain did the same thing from 1991-95. 5 TdFs in a row puts you among the elite, but it certainly doesn't automatically vault you to the crest of the wave.
Comments
Originally posted by BRussell
I think you need to do something more interesting with your body than ride a bike to be considered the greatest athlete. Lance might be a great all-around athlete, but he sure doesn't show it sitting on a bike pumping his legs. I think that's why people think of great basketball players, because you see so much diversity in what they do athletically, more so probably than other sports. I suppose you could look at some of those combined olympic sports.
I guess winning Tour de France 5 years on the trot is no big deal
Originally posted by kelib
I guess winning Tour de France 5 years on the trot is no big deal
It's absolutely great in terms of biking. But biking isn't diagnostic of overall athletic ability to the same extent as other sports such as basketball. If you had phrased the question as "greatest accomplishment in a sport" then Lance's 5-peat would be up there pretty high, along with Tiger's 4 consecutive majors.
Originally posted by kelib
I guess winning Tour de France 5 years on the trot is no big deal
what about being a better hitter than anyone else in baseball during the twilight of his career? or being the best basketball player of his generation? bonds and jordan have dominated their sports during their generations. does that make them the best athletes in the world?? sorry kelib, but your logic is flawed.
Originally posted by BRussell
It's absolutely great in terms of biking. But biking isn't diagnostic of overall athletic ability to the same extent as other sports such as basketball. If you had phrased the question as "greatest accomplishment in a sport" then Lance's 5-peat would be up there pretty high, along with Tiger's 4 consecutive majors.
exactly. yet more reasoning for why this thread is pointless...
Originally posted by _ alliance _
exactly. yet more reasoning for why this thread is pointless...
yea. it's true but I think the purpose is just for fun and opinion. everything doesn't have to be taken so seriously.
I say Wade Boggs
What.... i love Boggs
Originally posted by applenut
I say Wade Boggs
According to reports he's got one hell of a tongue.
Besides, everyone knows that Bo Jackson is the greatest athlete ever!
a clarification would be helpful - do you mean most accomplished? Or do you mean most dominant in their sport? or do you mean most athletic? (ie: highest VOx capacity, etc)
Originally posted by ColanderOfDeath
It sure as hell isn't Tiger or any golfer.
Why is it that people assume golfers are not athletes. Well of course Craig Staedler is overweight. But look at Tiger (who supposedly benches 300lbs) is a fitness freak. And most of the young guns are also athletic and strong.
Certainly the greatest athlete should not only possess brawn, but skill too. You could then add Gretzky, McEnroe in the skill department.
Again it boils down to asking who is pound for pound the fittest or who has most dominated their sport.
Originally posted by ColanderOfDeath
To be excellent at golf is certainly an accomplishment to be respected and one that may be just as difficult to hone as those in more athletic sports but that doesn't make it any more athletic than billiards or curling for example.
Golf is certainly more athletic than curling (don't even speak of billiards : why not chess ? ). people never question if hurling is athletic. Throwing a golf ball at over 300 yards is certainly athletic. Hitting a ball in a deep feet with a long iron is even more : i never succeed this, nor even any amator, and it's not only a question of technical skill, it's a question also of raw power.
Two of the best players of the world are athletic : Tiger woods ,and Ernie Els. Tiger is well known and make a physical training each day. Ernie els is an athlete, in his youth he belonged to a south africa team of rugby.
Of course is not just only beeing athletic, there is technic, strategy, mental skill (this is the most difficult part) ...
She wins 13 world championships, break 38 world records, win more than 800 victories, Olympic champion ...
Here is the link to her site : http://jeannielongo.free.fr/pages/pa...synthese.html.
Originally posted by kelib
I guess winning Tour de France 5 years on the trot is no big deal
It certainly is, but Indurain did the same thing from 1991-95. 5 TdFs in a row puts you among the elite, but it certainly doesn't automatically vault you to the crest of the wave.