Gotta respectfully disagree on one thing, Doc! race care driving is a physically demanding sport. You gotta be in pretty good shape to do that...

Gotta respectfully disagree on one thing, Doc! race care driving is a physically demanding sport. You gotta be in pretty good shape to do that...

That is fine. I do understand Nascar (and F1) fans.  So you agree with Tiger?

(Yes, I am a failed southern boy!  Not a nascar fan! )

Well, strength would definately be the main thing, of course depending on the sport. Although to me a combination of the three would be necessary!

However to answer your question, strength would be important and I would look at the sports I like best. Soccer and Track and Field. I won't name who I think is the best because those who I consider the best were those in my childhood days. Example, Pele for Soccer and in Track and Field, it would be a Jamaican athelete who dominated the sport in her days, Merlene Ottey. In soccer again would be Maradonna and Track and Field, Jackie Joyner Kersee.

and Track and Field, Jackie Joyner Kersee.

See?  That is where I am at (her and Carl Lewis).  One that has it all, and is the best.  But that is just my opinion, and I know not shared by many.  Actually, there is no right or wrong answer, I am just curious as to what people use in the mix of things to say who was the greatest.

Watching that sham of a game with my Raiders last night (it was a sham as they were so lousy), one of the talking heads quoted a Charger player who Boxes as a training tool.  In that, he was quoted as saying, that sure Football was tough.  But it was not 60 minutes of tough.  it was 30 seconds, followed by a respite.  Whereas Boxing was 3 solid minutes of tough!  followed by 60 seconds of rest, and then another 3 minutes.  As much as I hate to agree with a mauler of my team, I found that very profound, and accurate.

nah guys you got it wrong - it is

jennifer1 - best couch potato! takes immense stamina to stick it out, the physical and mental endurance is nigh on impossible to maintain for any length of time! heheheh   

jennifer1 - best couch potato! takes immense stamina to stick it out, the physical and mental endurance is nigh on impossible to maintain for any length of time! heheheh

Ok, but do you really want to win that title?

Ok, but do you really want to win that title?

I already have!   

I already have!

Or is it a Mouse Potato?

Or is it a Mouse Potato?

Now doc I am lost! hehehe

I consider Lance Armstrong to be one of the best athletes of all time, because distance cycling requires speed AND incredible stamina. While race car drivers get some time to rest between races, there is very little rest on a lengthy race such as the Tour de France.

The best athletes, though, would be those who need to apply physical ability, stamina AND mental toughness. For that reason, I tend to believe pitchers and catchers to be the better athletes on baseball teams, as their positions require greater mental awareness than other positions. Offensive and defensive linemen in football, similarly would qualify as great athletes. Sadly, those are the ones we give the least recognition.

Now doc I am lost! hehehe

It is a new term for someone that surfs the internet instead of watch TV.  Not that you do!

Offensive and defensive linemen in football, similarly would qualify as great athletes. Sadly, those are the ones we give the least recognition.

You must love John Madden!

As for Lance Armstrong, hard to argue with that choice.  A man who dominated his chosen sport like no other.

I am on Shovel's side on this, Doc. Car racing is a very physically demanding sport, particularly F1 racing where the drivers have to be as fit as fighter pilots in order to cope with the G's they pull going around the tight tracks they race. I'm not so sure about golf, though. I think Tiger is probably better defined as a sportsman rather than an athlete. Michael Schumacher, on the other hand, is a champion athlete, as far as I'm concerned.

I am always impressed by people who make triatholons look easy. Bastards...

I am always impressed by people who make triatholons look easy. Bastards...

Now, now!  This is not an envy match.

I'd have to say Lance Armstrong as well.

I think calling a golfer an athlete is an insult to those who participate in real sports. It's a friggin game, not a sport.