The Greatest Runner Ever

[WCE2000]

It has been a while since the Olympics are over, so this is kind of a bit late, but for anyone out there into Athletics - who do you think is the greatest male runner of all time?

For mine it is definately Michael Johnson, Carl Lewis and Haile Gebrasalessie in 2nd and 3rd.

Other runners that could also be considered are Paavo Nurmi, Vilho Ritola, Jesse Owens, Emil Zatopek, Lasse Viren, Sebastien Coe, Wilson Kipketer, Frankie Frederiks or Hicham El Gerrouj.

------------------
For all your footballing needs be sure to visit my AFL web-site at http://www.geocities.com/eastsydney5/index.html

[This message has been edited by WCE2000 (edited 05 October 2000).]

 

[crowz4eva]

Kostantinos Kenteris from Greece, won the 200m at the games, Ekaterina Thanou, second favourite, she got silver in the 100m behind marion, if you havent noticed, im a mad greek!

 

[PieGirl#41]

Well thank god no-one said Cathy Freeman!!!
Cause I can't stand her!!!!

------------------
Go Chippa Your A Legend

 

[JUBJUB]

The greatest male runner -Jimmy Krakouer.Oh,sorry i thought you mean't drug runner.

 

[jod23]

Carl Lewis no question. Greatest long distance runner would prolly be Haile Gebrasellessie, honourable mention for Johnson, Green, Boldon, Fredericks, Coe and Owens. Others that i was gonna say were Kipketer and El Gourouji but they both lost there pet events at the olympics. Great Champions win they didnt so...there you have it.

 

[Grendel]

Owens to do what he did at a time when Black athletes were barely given any recognition to my way of thinking stands head and shoulders above all others. He would have probably had a career equal to Lewis if the 40 and 44 games hadnt of been stopped for the second world war.

Nurmi and Zatopek are the two who spring to mind for the longer events.

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

For Men runners :

Sprints - impossible to seperate Michael Johnson and Jessie Owens, I would incline towards Owens because the is always a sniff of drugs around any American sprinter these days. Carl Lewis and Linford Christie 3rd and 4th

Middle distance - Cripes take your pick : Kip Keno, Peter Snell, Roger Bannister, John Walker, Sebastian Coe, Steve Ovett, Steve Cram, John Landy or even Zatopek. Being an ex-Kiwi I'll go for the great John Walker.

Long Distance - Gebreselassie or Parvo Nurmi

cheers

 

[RICE80SF]

WCE2000 you seem pretty knowledgable about athletics, are you arunner yourself? I run recreationaly for fitness and don't have a great deal of knowledge on the champs. Can you tell me if it's true that Herb Elliott was never beaten in a competative 1500m race?
If so he is one of our most underrated sports people, that's a phenomonal achievment.

Here's my picks for the greats:
1 Agree with you Grendel, Owens must have been a super human being, a man of steel on and off the track. One of the greatest sportsman ever.
2. Carl Lewis: the best in the world for about ten years in the most competative events.
3.Micky Johnson: should have had back to back 200 as well in Sydney if it weren't for the stupid US track selection. A true great.
4. Don't know much about him but that Gabracelesie is a freak. That was probably the best race I've ever seen, they sprinted like 400 metre runners at the end of 10km, sensational.

Cheers.

[This message has been edited by RICE80SF (edited 06 October 2000).]

 

[Bernie]

Have to agree with BSA except for ONE noteable exception - where's Herb Elliot ? The guy was NEVER beaten.

Owens sticking it up the Nazis ( when most were admiring how well they were running the train timetables ) was certainly a 20th C. moment. The power of sport.

Michael Johnson's 200m in Atlanta - easily the best sprint race.

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

yeah sorry 'bout that

I knew I had missed at least one chamion middle distance runner.

Herb Elliott - how could I forget this giant of Australian sport ?

my apologies

 

[eagleskickass]

I definately say Carl Lewis.

 

[WCE2000]

I forgot Elliot myself.
I just scanned over some of the great runners in my mind and put them in.

------------------
For all your footballing needs be sure to visit my AFL web-site at http://www.geocities.com/eastsydney5/index.html

 

[Guest]

I think there are 2 standouts.

Carl Lewis - 9 Gold medals.

Emil Zatopek - 4 Gold medals, won the 5000, 10000 and marathon in 1952 a freak athlete who's deeds will never be repeated.

 

[ArdenSt]

Carl Lewis, without any question. Dominated the sprints and long jump for 10 years, in very competitive fields. Would go very close to the greatest athlete of the 20th century. IMHO

Cheers, ArdenSt