King of the 21st Century: Who was voted ESPN's best athlete?

ESPN called Michael Phelps the greatest athlete of the 21st century on Thursday, July 18 in front of incredible candidates such as Lionel Messi, Lebron James And Serena Williams thanks to the Olympian's exceptional performance in 2008.

PhelpsConsidered the greatest swimmer of all time, he accumulated 23 gold, three silver and two bronze medals before retiring from competitive sport following the conclusion of the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

One of the most dominant athletes of all time, his sustained success between 2000 and 2016 culminated in 2008 when he delivered a masterclass in consistency, execution and speed by winning eight gold medals and breaking numerous records in the process, something ESPN pointed to as justification for ranking him above all others.

“At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Phelps “He won a historic eight gold medals, more than any athlete in a single Olympics, while breaking world records in seven of his eight races,” ESPN said. Alyssa Roenigk wrote. “Throughout the Games, fans and media members tried to crack the code on what made Phelps — who eventually won 23 Olympic gold medals and became the most decorated Olympian of all time — so unbeatable.

“His mother, Debbie Phelpswas in Beijing and often answered their questions. Was it because of his size 42 feet? His extra-long arms? His breakfast diet? “No,” Debbie “He repeatedly replied, 'It's his hard work.'

Generally, Phelps He went on to set 39 career records and win a total of 66 gold, 14 silver and three bronze medals, never losing in the 4x100m medley or the 400m medley. He was ranked higher than any other swimmer, including Katie Ledecky who ranked 15th.

Who was in the Top 10?

As we know it, Phelps has been ranked the best athlete of the 21st century, but who did he have to beat to top the rankings? Here's ESPN's Top 10 Athletes Rankings.

• Serena Williams: She dominated women's tennis with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, unmatched power and longevity, inspiring countless future athletes around the world.
• Lionel Messi: Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers, Messi won seven Ballon d'Ors and several records with Barcelona and Argentina.
• Lebron James: NBA superstar known for his versatility, four MVP awards, four NBA championships and significant off-court contributions to social causes.
• Tom Brady: The NFL's greatest quarterback, with seven Super Bowl titles, known for his longevity, competitiveness and unmatched playoff performances.
• Roger Federer: Tennis legend with 20 Grand Slam titles, celebrated for his grace, consistency and sportsmanship, influencing a generation of players.
• Simone Biles: A gymnastics icon with 32 Olympic and world championship medals, renowned for his revolutionary skills and ability to overcome personal challenges.
• Tiger Woods: He transformed golf with 15 major championships, known for his dominance, resilience and significant impact on the sport's popularity.
• Usain Bolt: The fastest man in the world, with eight Olympic gold medals in sprinting, iconic for his speed, charisma and global influence on athletics.
• Kobe Bryant: NBA legend with five championships, celebrated for his scoring ability, work ethic and lasting impact on basketball and culture.