Most athletic person ever?

[Primo Carnera]

I wouldn't slag off any of these elite guys.

Jim Thorpe has to be up there for me, though. I would also add Daley Thompson (yes, Eaton has since broken his world record, but that is possibly a function of time, nutrition and better training)

I don't know much about Bo Jackson, who is mentioned elsewhere on this thread.

Roger Federer is pretty damn athletic, as was Jonah Lomu. Carl Lewis was a great, albeit drug fuelled, all rounder.

In boxing terms, read up about James J Jeffries as an all round athlete

Really? is there something I'm not remembering?

I'm afraid so. Carl Lewis failed at least three drug tests (as did many other athletes) but was then allowed to compete in the Olympics by the US drug administration. If you fail three drugs tests, then you are likely a committed doper aren't you?

What a shame. It's true that doping was at its most prevalent during that time (we think ������), but the cover up was a shameful example of institutionalised acceptance of PEDs in the US.

To me, it certainly devalues Lewis' achievements in sports.

Are you American, Primo? The US media tends to whitewash PED abuse by US sports people so many people in the States haven't heard this and are blissfully unaware, all the while condemning Russians for doing similar things. Look at the use of drugs in athletics, in baseball, in NFL etc. Such a pity.

By the way, we have our own problems with drugs, but our Olympic committee imposed a life ban on any UK athletes caught doping. This was recently deemed 'restraint of trade' by the EU Supreme Court so we stopped doing this a couple of years ago. .

Wow! How did I not know about this! That 1988 Seoul final has turned out to be the biggest disgrace in Olympic history. Lewis had the bare faced cheek to accept the Gold after Johnson failed a drug test, when he was a drug cheat as well, and Linford Christie! they were all fucking cheats.
Lewis tries to defend it by saying "nowadays , they're not sure if the stuff he took has any positive effect." HE TOOK IT THINKING IT WOULD BENEFIT HIM!!! And that's all that counts.
No X, I'm not American. I always thought Lewis was seen as the USA Pin up boy. Fuckin cheat.

[SlimTrae]

Today...
Michael Phelps helps U.S. to 4x100m medley relay win in final Rio race
Gold.........again.

[Spicoli]

Yeh watching some of these Olympians they have to be right up there with many of the known pros mentioned. Not as far as sport accomplishment but physical fitness and athleticism. Starting to believe Phelps gets stuck in rip currents on purpose just for a challenge.

[Memphis]

For all around athletic ability, transferable skills and all that. You'd be doing well to better this.

[SlimTrae]

Gymnastics have great athletes. Like swimmers they use every muscle in their bodies.

Great job for American gymnastics women