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There was an interesting read in playboy's june issue where they interviewed Lance Armstrong, mentioning him as possibly being the most important athlete of all-time. I guess I never really thought of him like that before, but after reading through, this guy overcame 12 tumors, goes on to win the Tour de France 6 times in a row, and helped raise close to $40 million for cancer by selling those simple yellow bracelets for $1 each...he has my vote.

Just wondering what everyone else's opinion is?

Chris P.

Phidippides- Runner of the first Marathon (not to mention a round trip to Sparta just a few days earlier)

He helped save Athens from the Persians, thus protecting one of the earliest outposts of democracy (Outposts of Democracy.....sounds like something Bush would say)

LA is , IMHO, one of the, if not THE greatest athlete of all times. I read all his books, and followed him closely throughout the years. The guy is super human - and has the toughness of a rock. The Tour de France (TdF) is the toughest sporting event in the world, the riders spend energy equivalent to a Marathon on a daily basis, for 23 consecutive days (!!!) ...and he won it six times in a row, after recovering from cancer. No doubt - he's great.

Most important? I would say Arnold Palmer. He is a perfect role model for an athlete in any sport, imho.

He's probably not the greatest golfer, but excited the fans with his style of play and was a winner.

Is dedicated to his sport, gave it his all and never gave up. He has charisma, talent, humility with confidence.. A man dedicated to his family, served his country, keeps giving back to the game and the fans.

A man with grace. Is he perfect, no, but he has so many great qualities to admire.

There may never be another one like him.

stagday

I cast my vote for Brian Boitano.

What would Brian Boitano do
If he was here right now,
He'd make a plan
And he'd follow through,
That's what Brian Boitano'd do.

When Brian Boitano was in the olympics,
Skating for the gold,
He did two sow cows and a triple lutz,
While wearing a blind fold.

When Brian Boitano was in the alps,
Fighting grizzly bears,
He used his magical fire breath,
And saved the maidens fair.

And what would Brian Boitano do,
He'd call all the kids in town,
And tell them to unite for truth
That's what Brian Boitano would do.

When Brian Boitano travelled through time
To the year 3010,
He fought the evil robot king
And saved the human race again


That's why I would say Brian Boitano is the greatest athlete of our time

Armstrong would be a good candidate just based on the fact that he overcame so much. He is the defintion of role model.

Jesse Owens and his Olympic performance in Germany.
Jackie Robinson - overcome racism in baseball (with all due respect to John Rocker )
Lance Armstrong most definitely.

I think I will blame this ridiculous statement on the fact that you are from canada

Lance Armstrong's physical feats may make him one of the best athletes of all time but how does that equate to the "most important" athlete of all time?

You'll have to excuse Keith for this one. He thinks he (Keith) looks good in a form fitting, sequinned jumpsuit adorned with flowing pastel feathers.

I look good in anything


Nope, not me.

Armstrong's legacy is certainly an impressive and courageous one, but if I were ranking athletes by "importance" he'd be a ways down the list. My list would include those who changed or transcended their sport in some way or had some impact on society outside of their sport. Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Jesse Owens, Babe Ruth, Babe Didrickson, Arnie & Tiger, Olga Korbut(yes, the gymnastics boom can be directly traced to her Olympic performance) would all be on my short list. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

This is kinda confusing, most "important"? Not sure, all great athletes have contributed to the sports world one way or another.

By those criteria I'd add Armstrong to the list. We shall see how long his legacy lasts, of course.

I'd also add Steve Redgrave, Roger Bannister, Pele, Wayne Gretzky...

not sure if chess is, strictly speaking, a sport, but Bobby Fischer is in the same category.

Roger Bannister and Pele are good ones. Gretzky was the greatest, but I don't know that he did anything that would fit my criteria. I think I'd put Michael Jordan ahead of him and I've never heard of Steve Redgrave. Cycling just isn't that big here in the states Armstrong or no. Greg LeMond had the same sort of popularity in Europe back in the 80s. I guess who you find important depends upon what part of the world you're from. Babe Ruth probably means nothing to much of the world.