Black History Month: Celebrating Leading Men & Women within Sport

American Track and Field Athlete

Won four gold Olympic medals during the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. During his lifetime he was considered one of the greatest athletes in track and field history, setting three world records. Owens achievements were incredibly impressive and made even greater by the fact his performance was in Nazi Germany, earning him the accreditation of being the athlete who “sing-handedly crushed Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy.”

Major League Baseball Player

A trailblazer within the sport, Robinson was the first African American to play MLB in its modern incarnation and is celebrated as one of the key figures to ending segregation in professional baseball. His baseball achievements included being named the MVP in his 1949 season and winning six consecutive All-Star titles. Robinson was portrayed by the late, great Chadwick Boseman in the film 42.

Boxer

One of the most famous sportspeople of all time, Muhammad Ali is considered the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, with a total of 56 wins and 37 knockouts, including that of Sonny Liston in 1965 which sparked one of the most iconic sporting photos of all time.  Outside of boxing Ali is famed for his activism, namely his refusal to be drafted and opposition to the Vietnam War, as well as being a high-profile figure during the civil rights movement.

Cricketer

A great within the world of cricket, Garfield Sobers is considered one of if not the greatest ever all-rounder n cricketing history and was in 2000 named Wisden Cricketer of the Century. With a phenomenal batting average, Sobers has the fifth highest batting average in all test cricket, and his prowess in the game led him to become captain of the West Indies, to receive a knighthood and be named as one of ten National Heroes of Barbados.

Tennis Player

One of, if not the, most successful female tennis players of all time, Williams holds the most singles, doubles and mixed doubles Gland Slam titles among any active player. Her 39 Grand Slams leave her at second on the list of highest achievers within the Open Era. Renown well beyond the tennis world, Williams is one of the most recognisable and loved sportswomen in the world.

Sprinter

The fastest man in the world, with 8 Olympic Golds, Bolt was the first sprinter to achieve 3 triples (100m, 200m, 4x100m) at 3 consecutive Olympics (his first gold in the 4x100m has since been overturned). The current world record holder in 100m, 200m and 4x100m, Bolt quickly became renown for not just his speed but his loveable personality, the lightning bolt celebration becoming a worldwide phenomenon.

Artistic Gymnast

An inspiration both in sport and in her personal life, Biles has enjoyed (and continues to enjoy) a glittering career that sees her as the joint most decorated gymnast of all time and the joint most decorated American Olympic female gymnast. Famed for pushing the boundaries of the sport, Biles has 32 Olympic and World Championship medals. A vocal activist outside of her sport, Biles has spoken out about sexual assault and mental health.

Football Player

One of the most integral members of the Manchester United and England squads, Rashford’s footballing prowess is just one of a multitude of impressive things about this young man. A fantastic football player, Rashford became synonymous with his social voice following the COVID-19 pandemic, his advocacy for children suffering from food poverty and his universal credit campaigning. Rashford is also a literacy advocate amongst young children, launching his own book club to help vulnerable and underprivileged children.