30 Greatest British Athletes of All Time

30 Greatest British Athletes of All Time

*Originally published  by Roseline in May 2022 and Updated by Ian S in May 2024

It is important to note that sports play an important role in British culture. Popular team sports include; football, field hockey, cricket, rugby union, rugby league, and netball. The major individual sports include badminton, athletics, tennis, boxing, golf, cycling, motorsport, and horseracing.

Here are the top 30 greatest celebrated British Athletes of All Time:

1. Chris Hoy-racing driver

Hoy at the Homecoming Parade in Glasgow in 2012 on Wikipedia

 Sir Christopher Andrew Hoy is a British racing driver and a former track cyclist from Scotland, he was born on 23rd March 1976. He represented Great Britain at the Olympic and World Championships and Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.

He is an eleven-time world champion and six -times an Olympic champion. He is the second-most decorated Olympic cyclist of all time with a total of seven Olympic medals, six gold and one silver.   He is considered the most successful track cyclist at the global level of all time due to his seventeen global titles across four disciplines.

2. Mo Farah-Long-distance runner

Sir Mohammed Muktar Jama Farah also known as Mo Farah is a British long-distance runner and the most successful British track athlete in the modern Olympic Games history, due to his 10 global championship gold medals. He was born on 23rd March 1983, in Mogadishu Somali, and later on, he moved to London as a child and ran for Newham and Essex Beagles Athletic club, training at the St Mary’s College, Twickenham from 2001 to 2011.

He unbroke the streak of ten global final wins after finishing the second in the 10, 000m at the 2011 World Championship in Athletics. He is the most decorated athlete in British athletics history with 10 global titles. He was also the first British athlete to win two gold medals at the same world championship. He has won the European Athlete of the Year award and the British Athletics Writers  Association British Athlete of the Year award, BBC Sports Personality.

3. Andy Murray-Tennis player

Sir Andrew Barron Murray is a British professional tennis player from Scotland, who was born on 15th May 1987. The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP)  ranked him as world no.1. He has won three Grand Slam singles titles, two at Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016′. He has also won 46 ATP singles titles which include the 14 ATP Masters 1000 events.

He is an all-court player who excels in particular at defense, returning services, and constructing points. He is therefore regarded as a national hero in Great Britain for reestablishing the country as a leading force in men’s tennis for the first time in the early 2oth century.  He is also considered to have one of the best and most consistent two-handed backhands on the ATP tour.

4. Steve Redgrave-Rower

Sir Steven Geoffrey Redgrave is a British retired rower, he was born on 23rd March 1962. He has won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic games from 1984 to 2000 and also three Commonwealth Games gold medals and nine  World Rowing Championship gold. He is considered the most successful male rower in Olympic history.

He is viewed as one of Britain’s greatest-ever Olympians. According to 2016, he was the fourth-most decorated British Olympian. In 2002 he was ranked number 36 in the BBC poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. In 2011, he received the BBC Sports Personality of the year-Lifetime Achievement Award.

5. Paula Radcliffe-long-distance runner

Radcliffe competing in the 2015 London Marathon, which would be the final race of her career, By Paulo brad, Wikipedia

Paula Jane Radcliffe is a former British long-distance runner. She is a three-time winner of the London Marathon, a three-time New York Marathon champion, and a 2002 Chicago Marathon winner. She was the former fastest female marathoner of all time and held the women’s world marathon record with a time of 2:15:25, which was later broken by Brigid Kosgei in 2019.

 She is a former world champion in the marathon, half marathon, and cross country, and has also been a European champion in over 10,000 meters.  Her running career has earned many accolades which include the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Laureus World Comeback of the Year, IAAF World Athlete of the Year, AIMS World Athlete of the year, and a Member of the Order of the British Empire(MBE). 

6. Jessica Ennis-Hill- track &field athlete

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is a British retired track and field athlete from England who was born on 28 January 1986, specializing in multi-eventing discipline and 100 meters hurdles. She is a member of the City of Sheffield & Dearne athletic club.

 In her heptathlon career, she is the 2012 Olympic champion, a three-time world champion, the 2010 European champion, the 2010 indoor pentathlon champion and she is also a former British national record holder for the heptathlon,  a former British record holder in the 100 meters hurdles, the high jump and the indoor pentathlon.

7. Bobby Charlton-Footballer

Sir Robert Charlton is an English former footballer. He played either as a midfielder or a forward. He was regarded as the greatest player of all time. He was born on 11 October 1937. He was a member of the England team that won the 1996 FIFA World Cup but also won the Ballon d’Or the same year. He mostly played at Manchester United, whereby he became known for his attacking instincts, passing abilities, and hos long-range shots.

 Booby was both a Manchester United’s and England’s long-time record goal scorer and United’s long-time record appearance maker. He is currently the United’s second-highest all-time goal scorer with 249 goals, after Wayne Rooney in 2017. He is also the second-highest goal scorer for England with a record of 49 goals, which was surpassed by Rooney in 2015. He is regarded as a Manchester United legend.

8. Lewis Hamilton -racing driver

Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton is a British racing driver. He is currently competing in Formula One for Mercedes.  He signed with Mercedes in 2013. He was born on 7 January 1985. In Formula One, Sir Lewis has won a joint record of seven World Drivers’ Championship titles and holds the record for 103 most wins, pole position, and 183 podium finishes.

He joined the McLaren Young driver program in 1998, which led to a Formula One driver with McLaren from 2007 to 2012, hence making Hamilton the first and only black driver to race in the series. He is the then-youngest Formula One World Champion in history.  

9. Roger Bannister-runner

Sir Roger Gilbert Bannister was an English middle-distance athlete and neurologist. He was born on 23 March 1929 and died 0n 3 March 2018 after he was diagnosed with  Parkinson’s disease in 2011.

Roger set a British record in the 1500 meters at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki after finishing in fourth place. The achievement strengthened him, hence making him the first athlete to finish the mile run in under four-minute.  . His record lasted just for 46 days.

10. Tanni Grey-Thompson-wheelchair racer

Cary’s Davina “Tanni” Grey-Thompson, Baroness Grey-Thompson, at the Flora London Marathon in April 2005. By rjp – Flickr: Dame Tanni, Wikimedia Commons

Tanni Grey -Thompson is a Welsh politician, television presenter, and a former wheelchair racer. She was born on 26 July 1969. She started her Paralympic career in the 100m at the Junior National Games for Wales in 1984.

In 1988, when her international career began in Seoul. She won a bronze medal in the 400m. She also competed in wheelchair basketball. In 2004 when she participated in the fifth and last Paralympic Games in Athens and she won two gold medals in wheelchair racing in the 100m and 400m.  In a Paralympic career, she has won a total of 16 medals and 3 world championship medals, held over 30 world records and won the London Marathon six times. 

11. Tyson Fury – Boxer

I.M. Stonerman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tyson Fury is a formidable British professional boxer who has etched his name in boxing’s annals. He has held the coveted WBC heavyweight title since 2020 and previously unified the heavyweight titles from 2015 to 2016, along with claiming the Ring magazine title twice between 2015 and 2022.

Fury’s dominance extends to regional championships, including the British, European, and Commonwealth titles. As an amateur, he won medals at prestigious tournaments like the World Junior Championships and European Junior Championships, foreshadowing his future prowess.

Fury’s victories against Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 and Deontay Wilder in 2020 earned him accolades like Upset of the Year, Fighter of the Year, and recognition as the lineal heavyweight champion.

His trilogy fight with Wilder in 2021 was hailed as the Fight of the Year, solidifying Fury’s status as one of Britain’s greatest athletes and among the best boxers ever.

12. Sir Bobby Charlton CBE – Professional Footballer

Panini, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Sir Bobby Charlton is a legendary English footballer who etched his name in history as one of the greatest players ever and among Britain’s finest athletes. A key member of the 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning England team, he won the prestigious Ballon d’Or that year and finished runner-up in 1967 and 1968.

Charlton’s remarkable career was defined by his attacking prowess, passing abilities, ferocious shooting from both feet, fitness, and stamina. He spent almost his entire club career at Manchester United, where he became a First Division champion, and FA Cup winner, and captained the team to European Cup glory in 1968.

Charlton’s accomplishments include winning the World Cup, European Cup, and Ballon d’Or, a rare feat achieved by only nine players. With 106 international caps and 249 goals for United, he held longstanding records for England and the club before being surpassed years later.

13. Ronnie O’Sullivan – Snooker Player

DerHexer, Wikimedia Commons, CC-by-sa 4.0, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ronnie O’Sullivan is a legendary English professional snooker player, widely acclaimed as one of the most talented and accomplished in the sport’s history. He has won an unprecedented seven World Snooker Championship titles, a modern-era record he shares with Stephen Hendry.

O’Sullivan’s dominance is further solidified by his record of eight Masters and eight UK Championship titles, accumulating an unmatched 23 Triple Crown triumphs. Holding the record for most ranking titles with 41 and multiple stints as world number one, O’Sullivan’s prowess and longevity in the game are unparalleled.

From winning amateur titles to turning professional at 16, he has continually rewritten records, becoming the youngest to win a ranking event and the Masters.

Now the oldest Triple Crown event winner, his latest triumphs include the 2022 World Championship at 46 and the 2024 Masters at 48, showcasing his enduring greatness as one of Britain’s finest athletes.

14. Ian Botham OBE –  Cricket All-rounder

Archives New Zealand, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ian Botham is a true cricketing icon and an all-round sporting legend, undoubtedly among the greatest British athletes ever. This charismatic figure, an OBE and now a Lord, has captivated audiences with his aggressive batting, fierce swing bowling, and unwavering determination on the field.

Hailed as one of the finest all-rounders in cricket history, Botham’s exploits for England were legendary, including his match-winning performances that etched his name in cricketing folklore.

Beyond the boundary, his charitable endeavours and larger-than-life personality have made him a household name, attracting media attention and admiration.

With controversies and triumphs intertwined, Botham’s story is a gripping narrative that leaves people craving for more insights into his remarkable sporting Journey where he has transcended the realms of cricket to become a true national treasure.

15. Bobby Moore OBE – Professional footballer

Koch, Eric for Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bobby Moore is a legendary figure, an icon who epitomizes the very essence of British sporting excellence. This indomitable captain, widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in football history, etched his name in eternal glory by leading England to their historic 1966 World Cup triumph.

Moore’s composure on the field, his ability to anticipate opposition moves, and his outstanding leadership skills made him a formidable presence, earning him accolades from the likes of Pelé himself.

Beyond his achievements on the pitch, Moore’s impact transcended the game, earning him a place among the greatest Britons ever. His statue at Wembley stands as a permanent tribute to this colossus of a man, whose legacy as a true sporting immortal continues to inspire generations of athletes and fans alike, cementing his status as one of Britain’s most cherished and revered sporting heroes.

16. Sir Steven Redgrave CBE DL – Rower

Barcex, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sir Steven Geoffrey Redgrave is a true titan among British athletes, an extraordinary rower who has etched his name in the annals of sporting greatness.

With an unprecedented feat of winning gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000, Redgrave stands alone as the most successful male rower in Olympic history and the only man to achieve such glory in an endurance sport.

His remarkable accomplishments, which include three Commonwealth Games gold medals and nine World Rowing Championships golds, have rightfully cemented his status as one of Britain’s greatest-ever Olympians.

Redgrave’s indomitable spirit and unwavering determination have inspired generations, earning him the honour of carrying the British flag at the Olympic Games opening ceremonies on two occasions.

Ranked among the 100 Greatest Britons and recipient of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year – Lifetime Achievement Award, this legendary athlete’s achievements transcend mere records, elevating him to the realm of immortal sporting icons whose legacy will forever inspire awe and admiration.

17. Sir Andy Murray OBE – Tennis player

Carine06 from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sir Andy Murray is a true British sporting icon, a tennis maverick whose prowess on the court has etched his name among the greatest athletes the nation has ever produced.

With a sweetly sublime stroke play and an unwavering determination, Murray has conquered the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon twice, along with clinching the US Open title and Olympic gold medals.

His ascent to the world No.1 ranking and a staggering 46 ATP titles, including 14 Masters crowns, bear testament to his incredible talent and relentless pursuit of excellence. Murray’s ability to outmanoeuvre the fiercest opponents with his impregnable defence and jaw-dropping returns has earned him a legion of fans worldwide.

Yet, beyond his on-court feats, it is his humility, advocacy for equality, and status as a national hero that truly sets him apart, making this Scottish sensation an inspiration for generations to come.

18. AP McCoy OBE – National Hunt horse racing jockey

Paul, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

AP McCoy is a legendary figure, a true titan in the world of horse racing whose accomplishments defy belief and cement his status as one of the greatest athletes ever seen.

With an astonishing record of 4,358 winners and an unprecedented 20 consecutive Champion Jockey titles, McCoy’s dominance on the turf was unparalleled. From his meteoric rise as a teenage prodigy to his iconic victories in prestigious races like the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National, this Northern Irish maestro etched his name in the annals of sporting immortality.

McCoy’s prowess extended far beyond mere statistics, as his unwavering determination, tactical brilliance, and sheer grit made him a true master of his craft.

A recipient of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and a knighthood, Sir AP McCoy’s legacy transcends the racing world, inspiring awe and admiration in all who witnessed his unrivalled greatness.

19. Fred Perry – Tennis and table tennis player

See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Fred Perry is a trailblazing icon, a British tennis legend whose achievements on the court have etched his name among the greatest athletes our nation has ever produced.

With an unparalleled mastery over the sport, Perry became the first player to achieve the coveted Career Grand Slam, winning all four major titles by the tender age of 26. His three consecutive Wimbledon triumphs from 1934 to 1936 and his reign as the World Amateur No. 1 during that period are testaments to his unrivalled talent and unwavering determination.

Perry’s contributions extended beyond individual accolades, as he spearheaded Great Britain’s Davis Cup victories, ending a two-decade drought.

This working-class hero, whose disillusionment with the class-conscious tennis establishment led him to turn professional, remained a beloved figure, with a statue unveiled at Wimbledon in 1984 and his recognition as one of the “Best of the Best” British sportsmen of the 20th century.

20. Daley Thompson, CBE – British decathlete

Daley Thompson is a true British sporting colossus, a decathlon dynamo whose unparalleled dominance and unrivalled prowess have etched his name among the greatest athletes the nation has ever produced.

With an unprecedented four world records, two Olympic gold medals, and an astonishing nine-year unbeaten streak, Thompson’s feats on the track are the stuff of legends.

His triumphs at the World and European Championships, coupled with three Commonwealth titles, cement his status as arguably the greatest decathlete of all time.

Hailed as the UK’s finest all-around athlete, this iconic figure’s legacy transcends mere records, inspiring awe and admiration in all who witnessed his unparalleled greatness.

21. Sir Nick Faldo – Professional golfer

SN#1, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sir Nick Faldo is a true golfing titan, a British sporting icon whose unwavering dedication and unparalleled skill have etched his name among the greatest athletes the nation has ever produced.

With an astonishing 41 professional wins, including a staggering 6 major championships – 3 Open Championships and 3 Masters triumphs – Faldo’s dominance on the greens was second to none.

Renowned for his meticulous approach and relentless pursuit of perfection, this English maestro spent a remarkable 97 weeks atop the Official World Golf Ranking, solidifying his status as one of the all-time greats.

Beyond his on-course heroics, Faldo’s legacy has transcended the game itself, as he now shares his invaluable insights and expertise with millions through his acclaimed television commentary.

A true ambassador for British sporting excellence, this MBE-honored legend continues to inspire awe and admiration in golf aficionados worldwide.

22. Lord Sebastian Coe – Middle-distance runner

World Economic Forum, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Coe is a British sporting icon, an Olympic legend whose middle-distance mastery etched his name among the greatest athletes Britain has ever produced.

With four Olympic medals, including double 1500m gold, and an astonishing 12 world records, this track titan’s fierce rivalries with fellow Britons Ovett and Cram captivated a nation throughout the 1980s.

Transcending his athletic prowess, Coe’s impact extended to spearheading London’s successful 2012 Olympic bid and serving as the IAAF president.

Honoured with a lifetime achievement award and induction into the IAAF Hall of Fame, this remarkable figure’s legacy as a sporting trailblazer and administrator continues to inspire awe and admiration worldwide.

23. Joe Calzaghe CBE  – Professional boxer

Ben Duffy, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Calzaghe is a Welsh dragon, a boxing behemoth whose fierce dominance in the ring has etched his name among the greatest British athletes ever.

The longest-reigning super-middleweight world champion, this undefeated powerhouse held the WBO title for an astonishing decade, defending it a record-tying 20 times before conquering the light-heavyweight division. Calzaghe’s historic unification of three major world titles and his reign as the inaugural Ring super-middleweight champion solidified his status as a pound-for-pound legend.

Ranked among the top ten active boxers for three years, peaking at an incredible third globally, this “Pride of Wales” and “Italian Dragon” retired as a reigning world champion with an unblemished 46-0 record.

Honoured with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and a CBE, Calzaghe’s induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame immortalized his legacy as a British sporting immortal.

24. Lennox Lewis CM CBE – Professional boxer

-nikkon-, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lennox is a British boxing titan, a heavyweight juggernaut whose sheer dominance and unwavering skill have cemented his status as one of the greatest athletes Britain has ever produced.

A three-time world champion and the last undisputed heavyweight king, this Canadian-born pugilist specialist’s journey to greatness began with Olympic gold in 1988.

Lennox’s professional career was a testament to his indomitable spirit, as he avenged losses, unified titles, and conquered legends like Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson in some of boxing’s most historic clashes. Standing 6’5″ tall with an 84-inch reach, this 245-pound powerhouse’s devastating knockouts and relentless determination earned him the Ring magazine heavyweight title and widespread acclaim as one of the greatest heavyweights and British fighters of all time.

Lennox’s legacy transcends the ring, inspiring awe and admiration in boxing fans worldwide.

25. Sir Jason Kenny – Track cyclist

Jim Thurston, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sir Jason is a British cycling phenomenon, a track titan whose unparalleled prowess has etched his name among the greatest athletes Britain has ever produced.

With an astonishing haul of 7 Olympic gold medals and 9 total medals, this sprinting sensation stands alone as Britain’s most decorated Olympian and the most successful cyclist in Olympic history.

Jason’s dominance on the velodrome is unrivalled, as he holds records for most Olympic golds and medals by a cyclist, a remarkable feat matched only by his equally accomplished wife, Laura.

From his record-breaking team sprint triumph in Beijing 2008 to his triple gold glory in Rio 2016, this cycling colossus has time and again left the world awestruck with his blistering speed and unwavering determination.

A true embodiment of British sporting excellence, Sir Jason’s legacy transcends mere stats, inspiring generations with his unwavering pursuit of greatness.

26. Dorian Yates – Professional bodybuilder

Beaverino, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dorian is a British bodybuilding icon, a muscular marvel whose six consecutive Mr. Olympia triumphs from 1992 to 1997 etched his name among the greatest athletes Britain has ever produced.

With his intense training regimen, shredded conditioning, and awe-inspiring thick back, this English titan’s dominance on stage was unparalleled. Ranked among the top pro bodybuilders ever, with the fifth-highest Mr. Olympia wins, Dorian’s reign as the world’s premier physique force inspired awe and admiration worldwide.

This larger-than-life figure’s unwavering pursuit of perfection and incredible mass monsters solidified his legacy as a British sporting immortal.

27. Mark Phillips – Horseman

Antonisse, Marcel / Anefo, CC BY-SA 3.0 NL, via Wikimedia Commons

Mark is a British equestrian extraordinaire, a horseman whose Olympic gold-medal triumph etched his name among the greatest athletes Britain has ever produced.

As the first husband of Princess Anne, this dashing English rider’s mastery of eventing courses and his skills as a renowned designer has cemented his status as a leading figure in Britain’s equestrianism.

With a column in the prestigious Horse & Hound magazine, Mark’s influence extends far beyond the stables, inspiring awe and admiration with his graceful command of these majestic creatures.

A true embodiment of British sporting excellence, this charismatic champion’s legacy continues to captivate enthusiasts worldwide.

28. Phil Taylor – Professional darts player

Dartsman0003, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Philip “The Power” Taylor is a British sporting icon, a darting dynamo whose three-decade dominance and record-shattering 16 World Championship triumphs have etched his name among the greatest athletes Britain has ever produced.

With an astonishing 214 professional titles, including 85 majors, and an unprecedented 11 televised nine-dart finishes, this English maestro’s precision and prowess on the oche were truly unparalleled.

Taylor’s eight consecutive world titles from 1995 to 2002, 14 straight finals from 1994 to 2007, and a staggering 21 world finals overall are feats that defy belief.

Ranked among Britain’s top 10 sportsmen of the past 35 years by the BBC, this darting colossus’s legacy transcends mere statistics, inspiring awe and admiration in fans worldwide as a true embodiment of British sporting excellence.

29. Sir Bradley Wiggins – Professional road and track racing cyclist

Nicola, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sir Bradley is a British cycling phenomenon, a two-wheeled titan whose extraordinary exploits across road and track racing have etched his name among the greatest athletes Britain has ever produced.

With Olympic golds spanning four consecutive Games from 2004 to 2016, this indomitable competitor stands alone as the only rider to capture world and Olympic titles in multiple disciplines on both road and track.

Wiggins’ historic Tour de France triumph in 2012, coupled with his Olympic time trial gold merely a week later, cemented his status as a true sporting immortal.

From shattering team pursuit world records to donning iconic leaders’ jerseys across all three Grand Tours, this multitalented maverick’s achievements have inspired awe and admiration worldwide.

A recipient of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and a knighthood, Sir Bradley’s legacy as a British sporting colossus will forever shine bright.

30. Ellen MacArthur  – Dame Ellen Patricia MacArthur DBE

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Dame is a trailblazing sailor and Britain’s pride, among the greatest the nation has ever had. Ellen Patricia MacArthur, a retired English yachtswoman from Derbyshire, now calls Cowes home.

Her solo circumnavigation of the globe in record time brought her international acclaim, showcasing her remarkable skill and determination. Though her record was briefly broken, her legacy as a sailing legend endures.

After retiring, she founded a charitable foundation, continuing her inspiring journey towards a better world.