The athletes that have earned a spot on this list have surpassed all others. These men and women put their livelihood on the line, battled adversity and have left an indelible mark on their respective sports.

These wordl’s best athletes are all-time greats that have won the most world championships, olympic medals and mvp awards. Their names are synonymous with success and their legacy will live on long after they’ve retired. Their unmatched talent, natural instincts and drive have propelled them to the top of their sport.

The Ultimate Pursuit of Greatness: Unveiling the World’s Best Athletes

There are a few people that might keep up athletically with MJ (Bo Jackson, Carl Lewis)… And even fewer that might have his skill, coordination and grace (Kobe Bryant, Zinedine Zidane, Roger Federer). However, no one will ever come close to matching his mental game, competitiveness and winning streaks. There is no question he is the greatest athlete to ever play the game of basketball.

2. Usain Bolt

Bolt is the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time with 23 gold medals. He has the best sprinting times of all time and can easily dominate other sports as well. He also has a tremendous work ethic and is a huge role model for young athletes from all over the world. His like will never be seen again. In addition to his athletic accomplishments, he’s used his celebrity to promote change and is involved in numerous charitable projects. He’s truly a special individual.