Which current sportsperson transcends all boundaries in terms of popularity?

[jairamesh]

This poll has come about after I witnessed Bolt win the 100m race. The race left me with goosebumps. Some reason Bolt winning this race left me pumped up and proud! I have never really followed athletics but hell sure know who Bolt is. Very few great sportspersons can achieve this popularity outside their niche and national fans. Which sportsman or sportswoman currently achieves that (despite their form)?

[surajmal]

It is Bolt.. and not even close. He brought grace to an event that is all about brute strength. Guy was born to run. Good thing he didn't choose cricket.

[jairamesh]

It is Bolt.. and not even close. He brought grace to an event that is all about brute strength. Guy was born to run. Good thing he didn't choose cricket.

Not only that, he revived the interest in the 100m after the reputation of the event took a nose dive during the numerous drugs scandals in the late 90s and early 2000s.

[Prakat]

Wow, what a list of choices! Surprised not to see Phelps in there. I'd say ronaldo.

[vvvslaxman]

Bolt has a bit of personality about him too which helps his popularity immensely.

[1983-2011]

wheres tendulkar:protest:

[suraj]

For looks definitely Sharapova I watched her live @ US open in her black outfit- didn't care who won but didn't want the match to ever end!!

[Alchemist]

Michael Schumacher ??? Lebron James ??? Kobe Bryant ??? Tendulkar ???

[Raghav_12]

At global level, no doubt it is Usain Bolt. Few sportsperson rise to the level that their sport/event is known because they participate in that. Didn't have any idea in my childhood about pole vault until Bubaka started jumping to 20 feets. However, In case of Bolt, 100 m race is already very very popular event. Still Bolt seems to be doing to this event what Bubaka had done to Pole Vault. Only thing I pray is let their be no doubt about the legitimacy of his 9.6s and 9.5s, ever as that would be disasterous for sport, which Bolt himself has revived a lot.

[Trichromatic]

That's 80,000 people who paid to see it Sunday night, though the London organizers announced that 2 million people applied for tickets to this one session, the session they knew would feature Bolt. That kind of appeal would suggest Bolt is already a legend, but if the diva needed his ego checked, losing to Blake did it.

Bolt!

[CSK Fan]

Maria. Even those who dont watch tennis enjoy her performances

[Mariyam]

Usain Bolt??? His races barely last 10 seconds. Thats too less on screen time to be the most popular athlete in the world. I don't think any of the Olympians come anywhere neat the popularity that the football players receive.

[Crookbond]

One poll can just have 10 choices - so no point doing this :protest:

[vamos_rafa]

Phelp's name should have been there.

[vamos_rafa]

This is a very close call though. Soccer fans swear by Messi, and those who don't have a remote idea of Soccer, would still know Messi just like they know Maradona and Pele. Bolt is equally famous but, my bvote would go for Federer(yes!!) because he has been there the longest and ALMOST everyone thinks/ knows that he is the world beater in the sport.

[Crookbond]

^ Federer is one of the greatest tennis players and excuse maker of all time! :proud:

[Yoda-esque]

Federer for me..besides hes won the Laureaus awards 4-5 times

[Sachin=GOD]

Goddy not included. List :fail:

[akshayxyz]

Fedex for me (from the list). However, I think Tiger Woods might be a clear winner here. But if you talk about popularity transcending through *all* boundaries (non-sport followers) - my mother's comment should weigh heavily here - " wo dono kaali ladkiyon/behnon ka kya chal raha hai iss baar". (referring to Serena/Venus) She doesn't follow sport beyond the forced upon breaking news headlines by Indian media.

[vamos_rafa]

Fedex for me (from the list). However, I think Tiger Woods might be a clear winner here. But if you talk about popularity transcending through *all* boundaries (non-sport followers) - my mother's comment should weigh heavily here - " wo dono kaali ladkiyon/behnon ka kya chal raha hai iss baar". (referring to Serena/Venus) She doesn't follow sport beyond the forced upon breaking news headlines by Indian media.

Oh you mean sarla and vimla??