Top 10 Greatest Athletes In Track & Field History 

Something really only possible in the PV (Mondo doing the same thing), raising record by 1/600th each time.

@@et5222 Not only in PV, but in high jump too.

@@aqu32 theoretically yes, you can improve the highjump record by 1/200th (the PV !/600th),though no one has been able to do that like Bubka and now Mondo- Brummel set 5 records in hte 60's)

That famous Soviet weight lifter did the SAME thing in the 70s. By only breaking the WR by ½KG each time. I think he had close to 100 world records.

A smart way for Bubka to work the system.

That doesn't make him the greatest in the sport. Unless, of course, words lose their meaning.

Mike Hawk most of that was Jewish hype Hitler was himself blsck

@@zstepohznrebrenhoirer7 no but his performances made him the greatest track n field athlete Mr .Jesse Owens contributions to the sport was just much more memorable at the Munich games.

@Aaron mitzweiA Owen said otherwise only got two gurgly say they acknowledged each other should I give him the nod and Roosevelt Shawn and didn't invite him to the White House who's more racist president of the United States or Adolf Hitler?

No they don't. I knew it because it interests me, but I'm sure lots of people don't know anything about it. Unless maybe they're American, but assuming everyone knows everything that is to know about USA is just such an American thing to do.

Eluid didn’t do as much as these people did in track and field but he accomplished wayy more outside the sport of track

Kipchoge wasn't that impressive of a track athlete, his marathon career is much more prominent

Obviously not kipchoge isnt as dominant as some of the other legends

@@kaismithley7384 Yeah he only ran the 5k in a pathetic 12:46.53 😂 Jokes aside I agree, he was obviously very very good, and one of the best of his time, but not legendary status on the track.

@@prime6965 that's totally insane how fast that is but when you compare it to bekele, that's a full 9 seconds which at that level is like 80 meters, which just shows how the tables have turned now that they transitioned to road racing

TrentoNosko lewis should be strip snd removed from the list hi is doped uo

sorry. What?

I know Im asking randomly but does anybody know a way to get back into an Instagram account..? I was dumb lost the password. I would love any tips you can give me

@Malcolm Bentlee instablaster =)

I agree, the only other athlete I recall seeing running like that with that beautiful stride is Michael Johnson

Great list!!!

@@clodge5196 Marcell Jacobs as well

Where the fuck is Hicham El Guerrouj

He almost runs like a robot. A fast robot indeed.

Jabari Brooks it is impossible to know whether bolt could have also gone through the same adversity though. What I will and have said though is Owens also smashed the long jump which Bolt didn’t! Win goes to Owens.

Jabari Brooks then u should look up the his try on Herb Mc kenley who went to university of Chicago A JAMAICA

No he didn't that story is completely made up. First of there is no protocol or was there ever, on the Olympic games that the leader of the host country should sake hands with the winners. This myth seems to be a confusion about the fact that Hitler congratulated all German athletes after winning on the first day but the Olympic committee told him not to do it so he stopped it had nothing to do with Jesse Owens. Second Germany actually did great at 1936 they won twice as many medals as the US and I think to this day is the most successful Olympic games for Germany and honestly that could be the most dominant performance of any nation in history. Number 3 Jesse Owens said on numerous occasions that he had a great time in Germany and that he was the crowd favorite even Hitler waved to him when he won. I don't know of a single bad thing Jesse Owens said about his time in Germany and the only issues he had was when he came back to the USA where no one congratulated him on his victory.

@@FilipCordas Owens was also asked at one point how his experiences were with the filthy Nazis and he replied (I don't know the exact words so I might be off): "I didn't meet any filthy Nazis, just a bunch of nice German people"

How about consider their track achievements; your whole comment only relates to discrimination and resilience, which is fine, and I’m not downgrading Owens, he’s certainly top 5 ever, but Usain Bolt has the better record. Owens didn’t have the longevity (nor did most of that era) that Bolt had. 3 Olympic 100 m Golds isn’t a fluke. He was the first and only sprinter capable of that feat. Lewis and Gatlin perhaps also capable, but didn’t execute that.

Ukweli this two Ethiopian gave us chills in 5km and 10km

Yh thats true

Very true, Rudisha is one of the best

@@Karan-pl5ko you mad bro?

@@Karan-pl5ko bruh

Yes I know but who would you put David in front of?

Good call, I agree. Edwards pushed the triple jump to another level.

I thought he will be at least top 5

I was wondering about the same too, the lack of mention of Hischam El Guerrouj. Hopefully he will get due mention.

I agree. Especially with Moses making the top 10.

Hicham El Guerrouj is the #1 best runner in human history. He has 14/19 of the best times in the 1500m and 1600m Mile. He still holds the WR in the 1500m, 1600m Mile, 2000m, and the #2 best time in the 3000m. He also has high-ranked times in the 1000m and 5000m. There's no other runner with high-ranked times in 6 different race distances.

@Michael Dingwall lol.

Lewis the batty bway should be scratch the doper who grained Ben Johnson

If JESUS Owen IS Number 1 Then HERBS McKENley Should Be Mension FOR His 400m treck

Trent Santoro herb McKinley 200m an 100m an 400m was far superior than Jesse 0wens he was running 20 .6 an44.5.an 9.9 and was consider the greatest 1/4 miler of all times

Jim McCracken and for ur info his name was J C Owens James where you get Jesse from ?

Jim McCracken so what ur trying to say ..herb McKENley was my coach to led me about James cleaveland and Medcalf

@Michael Dingwall Indeed. Let's give prizes and accolades due to people's race rather than their achievements.

*I agree with the decision of saying that Jesse Owens is the very best Olympiad who has ever competed. He had to overcome prejudice, had to perform that much better than his opponents, and had to compete in all short-distance sprints AND the long jump. He broke the world record on many occasions, under the most strenuous circumstances, both domestic and abroad.* *I would have, also, given that accolade to Women Like Wilma Rudolph, who overcame polio and disabilities to become a world-class record-breaking athlete, and Florence Griffith-Joyner, who has one of the eldest world records that remains.* *Regardless of who is number one on this list, they are all Legends!*

Dave TheRave how Owens can be no.1 when Owens haveing less gold medal with one olympic compared to a nan with 3 olympic under his belt ..yu gone say that's subjective

Alpha Ecka - he set the standard for track athletes. Carl Lewis made duplicating Owens’ feat during the ‘84 Olympics his goal and he did it. Bolt had wanted to try the long jump, but said the training difference was too much and he decided to stick to sprinting. His accomplishments in sprinting set the bar for that specialty.

Dave TheRave let me correct your ignorance bolt was a long jumper like all sprinters he was advise not to . He risk injuries been a long jumper his hight ..v rhe only di sapient ment about bolt not following the footsteps of Herb McKENley OF NOT running thee 400 m compare Herb to JC Owens Herb held the world record for 100 200m an 400m..the only thing jc did that Herbert did not do was long jump and high jump . Give JC his perks . He ran a good 200m hurdles : But Batty Bway doped up lewis is no comparison to Bolt first of all who is Clean who have won there Medals as l Fairley :which one hold the world record . At the time of lewis in the boycotts where was the compitation compare to what he ran he can't beat any jamaican Ben Johnson beat his ass what they did set up a doped up bottle of Bear and give to Ben after the race evon thou his ass was dope he got the Gold so man clean up ur Ling wah befor utter .beside in bolt Tyson gay and as Asafah an Justin Gatlin he would even make the team his gay ass would even stand a chance ! Dount u ever dear make such a shameful mistake of comparing a clean athlete to a nasty faggott again have somemoral principle..snd show some integrity "man" If UR ONE

@@alphaecka1949 Distance is better.

Brenden Seipke yu talking dovil distance ..?

Don't forget her 60m world title too...... in one year she was the 60, 100 and 200 meter champion Simultaneously!

Completely agree with you. By the way, Carl Lewis was juiced. Does he really deserve this attention?

@@leonardc5987 Carl Lewis was juiced? And you know that for sure? How come Ben Johnson's golf medal was taken away and given to Carl Lewis?

Shmuel Oluwa this video was made today

that's true. Eliud would also be in top 10

Top5

Where the fuck is Hicham El Guerrouj

Sean Enright very fair point. Sadly though, as unfair as it is, most humans just want to know who the absolute greatest human is full stop. A woman in sport will never be considered the absolute greatest as a man will always be able to better what she can do.

Mike Adams there’s just no use in comparing mens and women’s athletes. It’s separate sports tbh

Damn, I agree with both of you !

Also this is back when training was bad😂

Jesse Owen's is a national hero

Times are not conclusive, but important. The super spikes they use today will see Usain's 100m record fall eventually, probably by a sprinter not of his ability. Dominance over many years and consistently great performances at the highest level of international competition should be the test. Oh, and drug free. Rule breakers get no recognition.

Allyson Felix has several World and Olympic Golds in 200m and 400m and has been world leader in both on several occasions. She has also competed in 3 disciplines (including relays) several times winning at least silver in each at Olympics and Worlds. Her performances in the relays have also been superlative in both 4x100 and 4x400. Whilst I have the greatest respect for SFP she has only really excelled at 100m.

Shmuel Oluwa Yes that’s true however individually Shelly has won more medals, yes winning relay medals is great but really winning individual medals is a better achievement. Allyson despite her talent has a lot of relay medals rather than individual. And despite Allyson running the 400m and that she’s not one of the fastest of all time with her 49.28, there’s loads of people that have ran much faster same for her 100m time of 10.89 she’s not where near the quickest of all time. Shelly has a PB on 10.71 which is one of the fastest in history, and just because she doesn’t really run other distances doesn’t make her not as good as Allyson who runs more distances however isint the fastest over them. Shelly is very good so she should have made the list for sure, however I don’t agree with Allyson being that high on the list, she should have really been a honourable mention or featured in in the top 20-15.

I'd say untouchable for a few more decades

really Noah Lyles

@@IamnotfromUSAwhat about him?

@@JockeyShawn He has run more sub 20 200m runs then Bolt already which is atleast touching Bolt IMO.

@@IamnotfromUSA I think we’re talking about Olympic status.. Noah is nowhere near close to what bolt has achieved in the olympics… You will probably never see what bolt has accomplished in the olympics ever..

I can argue, where is Jim Thorpe?

Dereck Dean she have more olympic medals than any one else in the world she should be on the list

@@alphaecka1949 True . When I first started following track and field Ms .Ottey became my favourite. . She was a consistent sprinter and was and still is a beautiful woman.

Dereck Dean Verry honorably said I had the pleasure of meeting her we had a couple of dinners togather along with Marlyn NewVille one of her best friend

Dick Fosbury!

I feel the same way about Dr. ROGER BANNISTER. Although his career was short, he was the first human to break the 4-minute mile, which everyone thought was impossible to do, before he did it.

I thought his name was Dick Fosbury.

@@MikeCee7 Richard Fosbury, to be picky. But he's famed for his changing the technique of high jumping, not so much for being a great performer.

@@bricefleckenstein9666 thanks for being a “Richard”🤣 He was a “performer”, he won the Gold medal in 1966 Mexico City.

Fosbury Flop

the equipment changed. they used to land on sand.

@@victorhopper6774 yes I know, don't really see the link with my comment

Hunter Morgan I definitely was surprised. But then I saw Jesse Owens and I was like, “Oh that makes perfect sense actually.”

Yes i watched "Race" 3 times james owens was an athlete and an hero well deserved, big up ro usain bolt

Marathon isn't really considered a track event though. Definitely revolutionary for the marathon and Africa sports.

@@quala723 It's considered part of every track and field championships, whether it be the world IAAF championships or the Olympics.

The Marathon is really every part of the sport of T&F. Abebe Bikila had to be mentioned.

Abebe Bikila❤

We watched the Rome marathon on video at school. Two guys running like hell possessed, in the dark, and like they’d never stop.. Spine tingling.

Maybe not top 5 but he should be listed.

Only 2

Owens deserves top 5 for sure. But this person who should be #1 was not even mentioned. Jim Thorpe

@Michael Dingwall 10 years she in there now

Exactly, she's been running since 2008 and have been dominating it since. Even after having a child. If Felix can be there so should shellyAnn

he's at least top 20

If I counted correctly, ten individual medals in the Olympics or World Championships, six gold.

One can argue about SFP being the one of, if not the greatest female sprinter of all time.

Is Allyson Felix overrated in that sense?

So for the decade count SAFP was the top woman ahead of Felix but then u put Felix above her in this list. SAFP is the greatest female sprinter of all time. 2 gold and a bronze from olympics And no other woman won more gold than her at world championship. Not counting relays

@@lg_ada2695 Flo Jo is the greatest female sprinter of all time for sure.

Either one of them could run circles around me, but at least I could out Bench Press both of them!!!💪🏋️‍♂️😀👍🤸‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Sebrle?

Plus Kevin Meyer broke Eatons record... by a lot

@@TommyGun5929 Yes, unfortunately Mayer has been plagued with injuries in a couple of different seasons. He would have been WC in 2019,again, if not for injury. In those seasons that he was injured he would have also put up 8800+ performances. And now COVID hits so hardly any Decas were contested this year. Sometimes life just does not grant people the circumstances to showcase their dominant potential.

mo farah doesn't deserve to be in top 20...just a athlete from salazar laboratorie

Farah doesn't hold any world records Rudisha was a beast

@@user-vb2bt9kh1p Farah I can understand not having top 20 (I'm a British teenager so he's an icon for me still ). Rudisha surely must be in there his 800m WR won't be beaten for 15+ years from now I think

@@jeromeboyd2591 records are meant to be broken bekeles record in 5k and 10k are close to be broken by cheptegai or kiproto bekele himself nearly toped kipchoges marathon recored a new rudisha will come along soon not 15 years

06racecar60 there also aren’t many countries that have as many medals as she (an individual) does soooo

Remember to watch it in France.!!

Yes!!!

I believe they were in the previous video, top 11-20 athletes of all time.

Alyson Felix 7th all time is a joke.

Yes she deserves to be part of this list

Longevity. Too short a sample. Can you imagine a person coming in for one season. He broke the record for 100m hurdles in a time that remained for 40 years especially under questionable circumstances? Would he be rated greatest of all time?

@@herontait7263 bro that doesnt make any sense tf are u on

You are right!!! Flo-Jo should be on the list come what may..

Flo Jo not even in honorable mention list? C'mon

The guy did ONE thing only. He's a great runner, but has absolutely nothing to do on the list... yet.

Zste'pohznre Brenhoirer he is the only athlete ever to have gone under 44 for the 400, under 20 for the 200, and under 10 for the 100

@@korami4661 Yes, I know. And? Johnson had the world record in both the 200 and 400 and doubled the events in the 96 Olympics and he's 15th on the list. Again, as exciting a runner as Van Niekerk is, there was no way he could make the list. I can think of about 50 athletes who deserve it more than he does.

Probably at the end of his career when it's all said and done

@@zstepohznrebrenhoirer7 The man has done more than just one thing. He's the WR holder in both the 300m and 400m and he's the first athlete in history to simultaneously break the 10s barrier in 100m, 20s barrier in 200m and 44s barrier in 400m. He's no longer the only athlete to have done this since Michael Normal ran 9.86s in the 100m at the Texas Meet earlier this year, but that doesn't take away from how remarkable and incredible an athlete WVN is. Honourable mention for sure.

Pablo Turmo Because that’s not track per say

A marathon is road running and not part of Track and Field which this video is about the 20 greatest track and field athletes so it's not really relevant

J Stewart well he didn’t even crack the top 20

Ethan Ennis I know, but he shouldn’t be an honourable mention, as he didn’t necessarily dominate in track

His opinion though.. I get that you're trying to voice your opinion, but don't bash his just to get yours out there.

@@conradbrolykke8651 It's okay, it's just my opinion as well.

Agreed, this is only one of the inconsistencies in this ranking. Impact on the sport and impact on Culture are also two different things and not many athletes, even if accomplished, have the circumstances to do that. And it completely separate from performances. I also hate the fact that someone who is good (top 3) in one event is somehow greater because they rack up medals in distances they are obviously going to succeed in - like 60m, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 4x100, 4x400. Anybody who is top three in 100 and 200 is going to be capable of doing the others with top rank results with little effort and training. It's not EPIC but expected. Might as well just rack up more and do a 80, 250, 175, 350, etc. Give me someone who did a 800 and 3000 with similar results and then EPIC is ok. Another one is understanding ones ability to compete in different events back in the 30s was way easier than it is today - not just the comp and training but the scheduling.

As someone who runs mid distance in college and ran sub 4:40 as a sophomore in high school, it is not super difficult. Being consistent in the race is super important. You need to run 70 seconds or faster per lap in order to do it. The third lap is where you will really need to dig deep as it is the hardest lap. The most helpful workout for milers is 400's. Depending on how good of shape you are in, you'll want to do between 8-12. If 4:40 is what you want to achieve, running 70 or 69 for each of those 400's is what you'll need. On regular runs, going between 6-8 on normal days and between 9-13 on long run days is important. One of the best ways to help your endurance is to do those 6-8 mile runs at 2 minutes slower than your goal mile pace (in this case being 6:40). Other than that, making sure you lift regularly, do core, and eat and hydrate properly with greatly increase your chances. Good luck and hope this helps!

Mike Adams stfu

The versatility is definitely impressive

Not taking anything away from Owens but why are you even mentioning bolt couldn't do that? To my knowledge he never seriously trained in the long jump but I have no doubt he could have jumped well over 8. There are high schoolers that do that nowadays and saying the best sprinter of all time couldn't do that is ridiculous

Nir Glazer always heard rumours that Bolt would go for the long jump as well but he obviously couldn’t or he would have 😉

@@madams989 I disagree. There were rumors a few months before he retired only. You can even find videos of him joking around doing it in 2017 after he retired. he clearly never trained in it all so they were likely just rumors. Even in this video (really just messing around, no board, only like 5 double strides and terrible form (both take off was s*** and landing was terrible and he wasn't even close to full speed, more like jogged) he clears 3 times his body length. So my guess is roughly 5-6 meters. Still even if he did 8 in practice. In his eyes he wouldn't compete in it because it's not worth his injury - especially when the rumors came out only close to his retirement which happened due to injury. I really think though that all olympic sprinters could quite easily achieve 8 meters nowadays. moreover my bet is that most NFL/top college skills positions could reach 8 meters quite easily. It's reaching that 9 meter area that's the real challenge for all these elite athletes.

I would have had Carl much lower, maybe 10th. Some people on this list ranked 11th-20th have WRs still standing today that were achieved 20+ years ago. Some people had insane amounts of consecutive wins as well. Carl has lots of medals yeah, but he wasn't even the fastest of his time, Ben Johnson was, he also wasn't the best LJ of his time, Mike Powell was.

Richard Gallimore Ben Johnson, a cheater, Mike Powell a man who Carl Lewis defeated countless times. Carl Lewis is the best long jumper ever no question. He won on every big stage. Powell was great obviously being the wr holder but he wasn’t consistent like Lewis was.

@@johnsantos6560 Even if Powell wasn't consistent other people on this list dominated the competition, it wasn't close, they'd get WR after WR and had win streaks of 100. I'm not saying Powell is better, I'm saying MANY people on this list dominated WAY more than Lewis did. He'd still lose races to Christie and Johnson sometimes. He was also cheating, so out of two people cheating Ben Johnson was better.

Richard Gallimore Lewis went 60+ meets undefeated in the long jump and it took Mike Powell’s wr to beat him. He dominated the long jump for 10+ years, and even then after 1991 won gold in the next two olympics

Ethan Hochstetler “track and field”, marathon is not included in this!!

He's in the honorable mentions at 14:51.

Definitely. He has set a new standard for the pole vault.

I'd add Sydney McLaughlin