Greatest British Sports Man/Woman

[david3103]

Just to go back to a very popular choice here for the greatest ever, Daley Thompson.
Is he really the greatest British sportsman ever? Amazing performance winning and dominating the event for the 1980s.
But it's such a niche event. How many people ever even do the decathalon? Does anybody on here know anybody that has ever competed in a decathalon? I know I don't and I would know different people that have done all sorts of different sports.
Without googling, can you name any other decathalete other than the current World and Olympic Champion and world record holder?
Interesting table on this page shows the world record in events and the decathalon best records in the same events. The biggest disparities %-wise are in 'throwing' events (shot/discus/javelin) and then the 1500m. So short, explosive power and then the stamina event.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decathlon#All-time_top_ten_athletes
I'm not saying Daley isn't the greatest Briton but would you even remember him if he had been Canadian?
"Oh yeah, remember that guy? He was okay at a load of events."

Roman sebrle, tomas dvorak, erki nool but prob only remember them as they were decent at the same time as macey, so remember them by proxy. Made the same point earlier, if a decathlete had been particularly decent at any event they never even try 10.

Daley had a long jump in 1984 that would have got a bronze in the actual long jump competition and was only 1cm behind silver. And he was in the 4 x 100m relay team that year, although they didn't medal. Both facts though really do add weight to his claim to be the best ever British athlete.
But sprinting and long jump are linked and they were his key events. The 400m and 110 hurdles were probably helped by the same skill set, although hurdles are very technical.
It's a tough one but as it's so niche, not for me Clive

To my mind, being really decent at a range of sports is just as impressive as being excellent at a single discipline.

Agreed. Discarding the multi-discipline events would mean discarding St Jessica of Sheffield

[AdamM]

10 pages, any mention of Phil Taylor?

[JohnCharver]

10 pages, any mention of Phil Taylor?

first page, follow by an instant clarification that darts isnt a real sport.

[AdamM]

10 pages, any mention of Phil Taylor?

first page, follow by an instant clarification that darts isnt a real sport.

Ah right, there it is.
Course it's a sport.
If the question was greatest British athlete, obviously, that's different.