My Top Ten Five Most Exciting People in Athletics

This summer Sports Illustrated released a list of the “10 Most Exciting Track & Field Athletes of All Time”. Some of the greatest names in athletics were on the list, but I felt it had some flaws.  Several friends later, I decided to produce my own list.

The biggest dispute I had with the list was that it included two groups of people who don’t necessarily belong. The first – convicted drug users – was easy for me to do away with. If you get busted, you should have your name wiped off the books. You cheated, be gone.

My 2nd point of contention with the list was that it included an athlete for whom I have never seen video of him competing. I won’t debate Emil Zatopek’s dominance during his era, but I have no idea whether or not his would have been captivating or not, and I’m not about to trust some 90 year old memories (They, after all, find playing bridge exciting).

The first and only real requirement for my list was that I wanted these people to have competed during not just my lifetime, but during a time that I would have been cognizant of their feats. Utter dominance of their specialty, isn’t required, either.

When I began compiling names I felt were worthy, I noticed one more thing. I’m sexist. I could have named a couple of females on the list just in the name of equality, but that would be totally disingenuous to what I find exciting. Sorry, ladies.

Finally, I was going to make this a Top 10 list, but narrowing my list down to 10 was becoming a bit of a chore (I’m lazy, shoot me!) but I had a definite 5 plus twowildcard alternate that I just couldn’t leave off the list.

Honorable Mention

Alan Webb – 1500m

He’s been in the spotlight since his junior year of high school. At any one moment he is a world-beater or a train wreck. His move to Alberto Salazar’s Portland-based training group will hopefully revive his sputtering career. It’s hard to believe that just over 2 years ago he ran the fastest in the world over 1500m/mile.

#5 Steve Hooker – Pole Vault

He’s the 2^nd highest pole-vaulter of all time. He’s the reigning Olympic Champion. In an event that generally requires many attempts, he took one attempt in the final at the IAAF World Championships this summer because he was competing on a torn groin – he won.

The ginger Australian is crazy. He gave up sex for 2 years prior to the Beijing Olympics (so he claimed) in his quest to vault well over 20 feet.

Lebron dunks on rims that high school girls vault over.

Weak.

#4 Curtis Beach – Decathlon

Who the hell is Curtis Beach? He’s the guy who’s going to keep the US dominant in the Decathlon after Bryan Clay and Trey Hardee are long gone.

This past spring, Beach had one of the most amazing high school track seasons since maybe Alan Webb’s senior year (Sorry, German Fernandez).

He broke the National HS decathlon record not once, but twice and the 2^nd time he added 3 events at Jr implements (throws) and heights (hurdles) and broke the American Jr record at the same time because he didn’t think it was a big deal.

To top it off, he nearly stole the race at Nike Outdoor Nationals in the fastest section of the boys 800m.

Who says decathletes can’t run distance?

Beach wasn’t finished, though. A week later he took the US Jr title in – you guessed it – another US Jr record.

# 3 Kenenisa Bekele 5000/10,000m & XC

What do you do when you’re idol is considered one of the greatest distance runners of all time?

Run faster.

That’s exactly what Kenenisa Bekele has been doing since 2002. He’s broken countryman Haile Gebrselassie’s world records at 5000 and 10,000 meters twice. He’s never lost at 10,000m on the track and rarely loses over the shorter distance.

Kenny B also tears up the mud like a Kawasaki dirt bike. The man has won more World XC titles since 2001 than Caucasians have in the last 35 years.

3 Olympic Golds & 18 IAAF World Championships make many Kenyans jealous .

As if you weren’t already jealous that his 10k WR pace is faster than your 800 pr. He’s also married to a movie star.

#2 US Shot Putters

Specifically these three to the left – Adam Nelson, Reese Hoffa and Christian Cantwell

These guys aren’t really threatening to break any records but on any given day one of these behemoths are capable of being the best in the world.

They are characters. Hoffa’s big fingers can nimbly solve a Rubik’s cube in under a minute. He also likes to celebrate a win with a turkey leg. Adam Nelson is a UVA educated man but that doesn’t prevent him from getting really excited before a throw. Christian Cantwell looks like….well…a bear.

#1 Usain Bolt

Really, did you have to ask?

I'll leave you with some video.