Editorial · All 26 ranked
Greatest Athletics of All Time
Every athlete in our athletics coverage, ranked by documented honours and records.
A living list, updated as careers unfold.
| Rank | Athlete | Sport | Nation | Honours | Honours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Usain BoltAthletics · Sprints | Athletics |  Jamaica | Olympic Gold Medalsx5 | 5 |
| 2 | Shericka JacksonAthletics · Sprinter | Athletics | Jamaica | Olympic Bronze Medalx9 | 9 |
| 3 | Shelly-Ann Fraser-PryceAthletics · Sprinter | Athletics | Jamaica | Olympic Gamesx8 | 8 |
| 4 | Wayde van NiekerkAthletics · Sprints | Athletics |  South Africa | Olympic Gold Medalx8 | 8 |
| 5 | Fred KerleyAthletics · Sprints | Athletics |  United States | Olympic Silver Medalx8 | 8 |
| 6 | Mo FarahAthletics · Long-distance running | Athletics |  United Kingdom | Olympic Gold Medalsx7 | 7 |
| 7 | Marcell JacobsAthletics · Sprints, Long Jump | Athletics |  Italy | Olympic Gold Medalx9 | 9 |
| 8 | Femke BolAthletics · 400 m hurdles, 400 m, 800 m | Athletics |  Netherlands | Olympic Gamesx8 | 8 |
| 9 | Noah LylesAthletics · Sprinter | Athletics | United States | Olympic Gold Medalx6 | 6 |
| 10 | Jakob IngebrigtsenAthletics · Middle- and long-distance running | Athletics |  Norway | Olympic Gamesx7 | 7 |
| 11 | Sydney McLaughlin-LevroneAthletics · Hurdler/Sprinter | Athletics | United States | Olympic Gold Medalsx6 | 6 |
| 12 | Dina Asher-SmithAthletics · Sprint | Athletics |  England | World Championshipsx5 | 5 |
| 13 | Ryan CrouserAthletics · Shot put, Discus throw | Athletics | United States | Olympic Gold Medalsx6 | 6 |
| 14 | Allyson FelixAthletics · Sprint | Athletics | United States | Olympic Gold Medalsx5 | 5 |
| 15 | Andre De GrasseAthletics · Sprints | Athletics |  Canada | Olympic Gamesx5 | 5 |
| 16 | Elaine Thompson-HerahAthletics · Sprinter | Athletics | Jamaica | Olympic Gold Medalsx5 | 5 |
| 17 | Christian ColemanAthletics · Sprints | Athletics | United States | World Championx6 | 6 |
| 18 | Keely HodgkinsonAthletics · 800 metres, 400 m | Athletics | United Kingdom | Olympic Gamesx5 | 5 |
| 19 | Tobi AmusanAthletics · 100 meters hurdles | Athletics |  Nigeria | World Championshipsx6 | 6 |
| 20 | Sha'Carri RichardsonAthletics · Sprinter | Athletics | United States | World Championx5 | 5 |
| 21 | Josh KerrAthletics · 1500 metres, Mile | Athletics |  Scotland | World Championshipsx5 | 5 |
| 22 | Faith KipyegonAthletics · Middle and long-distance runner | Athletics |  Kenya | Olympic Gold Medalsx4 | 4 |
| 23 | Hicham El GuerroujAthletics · Middle-distance runner | Athletics |  Morocco | Olympic Gold Medalsx5 | 5 |
| 24 | Florence Griffith-JoynerAthletics · Sprinter | Athletics | United States | Olympic Gold Medalsx4 | 4 |
| 25 | Grant HollowayAthletics · Hurdles, Sprints, Long jump | Athletics | United States | World Championx4 | 4 |
| 26 | Michael JohnsonAthletics · Sprinter | Athletics | United States | Olympic Gold Medalsx3 | 3 |
Methodology: compiled from each athlete's documented honours, records and public estimates on their AthleteWiki profile. All 26 eligible athletes ranked. Updated 2026-07-14.