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    Best of British: Sports Personalities

    It's the Diamond Jubilee this weekend! We celebrate the Queen's reign by looking at the greatest sports stars this nation has produced

    1. David Beckham

      1. David Beckham

      A man that needs no introduction, David Beckham is arguably the most famous sportsman of them all. He played for Manchester United and Real Madrid, as well as captaining his country, for whom he received 115 caps and scored 17 goals. David Beckham is a true icon.

    2. Linford Christie

      2. Linford Christie

      Lightning fast Linford Christie is the only British man to have won gold medals in the 100 metres at all four major competitions open to British athletes: the Olympic Games, the World Championships, the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

    3. England World Cup Winners

      3. England World Cup Winners

      In 1966, England won their first ever football World Cup, and it remains their only one. Captain Bobby Moore led the side to greatness, with Sir Geoff Hurst netting an unforgettable hat trick in the final, a 4-2 win against West Germany.

    4. Sir Steve Redgrave

      4. Sir Steve Redgrave

      Sir Steve Redgrave is a retired English rower who won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000 as well as a bronze medal at the 1988 Summer Games. He is one of the most successful sports personalities ever.

    5. Joe Calzaghe

      5. Joe Calzaghe

      Welsh former boxer was WBO, IBF, WBC, WBA & The Ring Super Middleweight Champion and The Ring Light Heavyweight Champion. Calzaghe is the longest-reigning world champion in recent years, having held the WBO Super Middleweight title for over ten years and made 21 successful defenses.

    6. Lewis Hamilton

      6. Lewis Hamilton

      Lewis Hamilton is the 2008 Formula One World Champion. Lewis is also the first driver of black heritage to win a major race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in any discipline.

    7. Gary Lineker

      7. Gary Lineker

      Gary Lineker remains England's top scorer in the FIFA World Cup finals, with ten goals. The 51-year-old scored 48 goals for England in 80 appearances.

    8. Ellen MacArthur

      8. Ellen MacArthur

      In 2005, Ellen MacArthur broke the world record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe, a feat which gained her international renown.

    9. Ian Botham

      9. Ian Botham

      Ian Botham is a former England cricketer widely regarded as one of the finest players the game has seen. He was a genuine all-rounder with 14 centuries and 383 wickets in Test cricket, and remains well-known by his nickname 'Beefy'.

    10. Andy Murray

      10. Andy Murray

      At just 25, Scottish tennis player Andy Murray is already regarded as one of the greatest talents the game has ever seen. Murray is currently ranked fourth in the world.

    11. Sir Alex Ferguson

      11. Sir Alex Ferguson

      Sir Alex Ferguson is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers the game of football has seen. The 70-year-old Scot has won a host of trophies in his 26 year tenure as manager of Manchester United.

    12. Ryan Giggs

      12. Ryan Giggs

      Ryan Giggs is a Welsh footballer who has been one of Sir Alex Ferguson's most loyal servants. The 38-year-old is the most decorated footballer in Premier League history, and has 64 caps for Wales, scoring 12 goals.

    13. Dame Kelly Holmes

      13. Dame Kelly Holmes

      Dame Kelly Holmes won the gold medal at both the 800 and 1500 metres at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. She still holds the records over the 600, 800, 1000, and 1500 metres distances!

    14. Sir Nick Faldo

      14. Sir Nick Faldo

      Sir Nick Faldo was ranked the World No. 1 on the Official World Golf Rankings for a total of 98 weeks.

    15. Paula Radcliffe

      15. Paula Radcliffe

      Paula Radcliffe is the current women's world record holder in the marathon with her time of 2:15:25 hours. Incredibly, Paula has won the London Marathon on three separate occasions.

    16. Jonathan Edwards

      16. Jonathan Edwards

      Jonathan Edwards is a former triple jumper. Yet again, we can be proud that a Brit has held the world record in their event: Jonathan's 1995 effort has yet to be beaten.

    17. Mark Cavendish

      17. Mark Cavendish

      Mark Cavendish is a road racing cyclist. 'The UK needs to understand he’s the country’s greatest athlete,' reportedly said teammate David Millar. 'He is probably the greatest sprinter in the history of cycling.'

    18. George Best

      18. George Best

      George Best, referred to as the 'fifth Beatle' for his mop-top hair do, is thought to be one of the most naturally gifted players to ever grace a football pitch.

    19. roy hodgson

      19. Roy Hodgson

      Current England football manager Roy Hodgson has already coached at club and international level in several countries.

    20. olympics

      20. Sir Steve Redgrave

      Britain's greatest Olympian with gold medals in rowing at five successive games

    21. bernie ecclestone

      21. Bernie Ecclestone

      Bernie Ecclestone is one of the most powerful men in world sport, heading up the Formula One organisation.

    22. roger federer

      22. Roger Federer

      Swiss tennis player Roger Federer can claim to be the greatest his sport has ever seen, holding the Number One rank for over four years in a row.

    23. John Terry

      23. John Terry

      Footballer John Terry is captain of Chelsea and has captained England as well during his career.

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