Possibly because I don't really follow many of these sports, this list doesn't really inspire me. I just don't know enough about some of them to judge their 'greatness'. How good is Nicole Cooke at what she does, for example? And does it make up for the fact that she too is Welsh?
Likewise it's a bit damning to pick someone like Jenson Button or Andy Murray. Yes, they're doing well and have had decent years, but neither has really triumphed utterly in their sport. If Button was F1 champ, or Murray had won a Grand Slam or two, then yes. But now?
So, having considered it thoughtfully, thoroughly and fairly, I've voted for.... Zara Phillips. Because she needs a good seeing-too.
That is the lamest list of all-time. Everybody on that list has either won f*** all or they're completely unknown by the masses for their sport - except for Hatton, Calzaghe and Phil Taylor.
Since Diana died we as a nation enjoy our collective weep (witness England bowing out in the Q/Fs every 2 years) so I fully expect Darren Clarke to win hands down.
The only reason I'll be watching is to see whether Phil Taylor makes the Top 3 - if he does it will be great for darts.
I think it has to be Phil Taylor. For one man to dominate a sport in such convincing fashion for such a long period of time and not get due recognition for it is unfair.
I do think that Darren will get it though. I hope that if he does get it that it is his exploits in the Ryder Cup that are focussed on rather than his loss of Heather. I think he said this himself a couple of weeks ago.