# The 14 Greatest Athletes of All Time

> Boxers, sprinters, footballers and gymnasts on one list. Every name here dominated a different sport, which is exactly what makes ranking them so hard.

*By YPB Team · Published August 2, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-14-greatest-athletes-of-all-time*

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## Current results (0 votes)

1. **Muhammad Ali**
   Three-time heavyweight champion and 1960 Olympic gold medallist.
2. **Mike Tyson**
   Youngest heavyweight champion in history, undisputed from 1987 to 1990.
3. **Michael Jordan**
   Six-time NBA champion and six-time Finals MVP.
4. **Pele**
   Only player to win three FIFA World Cups.
5. **Serena Williams**
   Twenty-three Grand Slam singles titles in the Open era.
6. **Usain Bolt**
   World record holder over 100m and 200m.
7. **Babe Ruth**
   Baseball's defining slugger and a seven-time World Series winner.
8. **Jesse Owens**
   Won four golds at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
9. **Roger Federer**
   Twenty Grand Slam singles titles and eight Wimbledons.
10. **LeBron James**
   Four-time NBA champion and the league's all-time points leader.
11. **Michael Phelps**
   The most decorated Olympian ever, with 23 golds.
12. **Lionel Messi**
   Eight Ballons d'Or and a World Cup winner in 2022.
13. **Simone Biles**
   The most decorated gymnast in world championship history.
14. **Jim Thorpe**
   Olympic pentathlon and decathlon champion who also played pro football and baseball.

Tags: sports, olympics, boxing, athletes, greatest of all time