Muhammad Ali (Boxing) - Cassius Marcellus Clay is the face of the 20th Century in a sporting context. From the time he went as an 18-year-old to the 1960 Olympics in Rome and won the light heavyweight gold medal he has been sport's most colourful icon. Brash, loud, humorous, his claim to be the most famous man on the planet was not idle bravado. In his 20th professional fight he provided a huge shock in knocking out Sonny Liston, who retired after six rounds. After turning to Islam and changing his name to Muhammad Ali, he refused to fight in Vietnam in 1967 and was stripped of his world heavyweight titles. His two greatest fights, the "Rumble in the Jungle" (beat George Foreman) and the "Thrilla in Manilla" (Joe Frazier) cemented his legend. He subsequently contracted Parkinson's disease, but remains easily the most identifiable face in sport.
Carl Lewis (Athletics) - Equalled Paavo Nurmi's Olympic record of nine gold medals and the achievement of sprinter Jesse Owens by claiming four gold medals in one Olympics, at the 1984 Los Angeles Games in which he won the 100 metres, 200 metres, long jump and anchored the 4x100 metres relay. At the 1988 Seoul Olympics he won the 100 metres (following Ben Johnson's disqualification) and the long jump. In 1992 he won gold in the relay and the long jump. In 1996, at 35, he won his fourth consecutive long jump gold.
Michael Jordan (Basketball) - Started at the University of North Carolina where he won a NCAA title in 1982 as a 19-year-old freshman. Was third in the draft when chosen by the underachieving Chicago Bulls and he was to revolutionise both the franchise and the sport. Led the Bulls to six NBA titles in eight years. First player to be named MVP in three successive NBA finals (he won six). Stunned everyone by announcing his retirement (30) from basketball in 1992 to take up baseball (Chicago White Sox). Bulls retired his number (23) but he returned in 1995 wearing number 45. From 1996-98 won three more NBA titles.
Mark Spitz (Swimming) - Offered an inkling of what was to come in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico when, as an 18-year-old, he won two gold, one silver and one bronze medal. Four years later in Munich the American won seven gold medals - no man had won more than five - and set world records in all of the finals. His speciality was the butterfly, winning the 100 metres and 200 metres. He completed the same double in the freestyle events. He added a 4x100 metres and 4x200 metres relays before his final event the 4x100 metres medley relay.
Jack Nicklaus (Golf) - The "Golden Bear" transformed golf, initially through his rivalry with Arnold Palmer and then simply by virtue of his phenomenal success. He won 20 Majors. He won US Amateur titles in 1959 and 1961. He turned professional in 1961, won the US Open the following year, the US Masters and PGA Championship titles in 1963 and completed the sweep of all four majors when winning the British Open in 1966. He won his last major the 1986 Masters at the age of 46.
Rod Laver (Tennis) - One of only two men to win the Grand Slam (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open) - the other was American Don Budge - in a calendar year. However the "Rockhampton Rocket" was the only man to do so twice, 1962 and 1969. Born in Queensland, Australia (1938), the left-hander was one of the smallest champions (5 ft 8 in) but made up for his lack of stature with a powerful forehand and a peerless ability to conjure shots under pressure. In 1962 he won his first Grand Slam beating Roy Emerson in the Australian, French and US Open finals and Marty Mulligan at Wimbledon. In 1969 his victims were Andreas Gimeno (Australian), Ken Rosewall (French), John Newcombe (Wimbledon) and Tony Roche (US Open).
