My Top 5 Inspirational Sportspeople

Last night while watching Roger Federer get up again in the Australian Open I got to thinking about who would make my top 5 list of inspirational sportspeople.

This is sure to open up a can of worms because everyone has an opinion about who is the greatest athlete etc etc.

So this is my list and my list only.

I will make a disclaimer though – this top 5 is for athletes still competing. If I listed my all time favourite inspirations it’d take up a lot of webspace so people like Steve Waugh and Michael Jordan don’t make the cut unfortunately.

#1) Lance Armstrong

Lance, or The Boss, as he is sometimes known on the racing circuit is an obvious choice for me.

For someone to not just beat cancer, but kick it back in the guts, then go on to win 7 Tour de Frances, to then going onto be a figurehead in the fight against cancer – Lance can seemingly do no wrong.

The guy gives back to the community and especially the cancer community so what more could you ask? Maybe being an Aussie but I won’t hold that against him.

#2) John Maclean

If Lance had never been born than this guy would win by a country mile of my all time most favourite inspirations.

A lot of people would probably never have heard of John Maclean but after you do he leaves his mark.

I first heard of John back in the day, about 15-16 years or so, when I was at school John came to give us a talk.

What I remember is this bloke rolling in on his wheelchair and being built like an absolute brick outhouse and then being blown away when he opened his mouth and told his story.

And that was before he accomplished everything he’s done since.

Briefly, John got hit by a truck when cycling when he was 22 and ended up a paraplegic. What has he done since? Well instead of being a footy star like he dreamed of, he was the first challenged athlete to complete the Hawaiian Ironman (the worlds toughest one day event), he swam the English Channel, competed in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race and one of his latest achievements was silver in the Beijing Paralympic Games in the Kayak event.

There’s plenty of more achievements but too many to mention here. I’m currently reading his second book “Full Circle” and it is well worth the read.

The guy is a legend and I had the privilege to meet him at his book signing for his first book a few years ago.

The best thing about John, apart from his sporting achievements is that his main goal in life is to help kids in wheelchairs believe that they are equal to everyone else and to provide funding and inspiration to them to allow them to achieve their dreams.

#3) Roger Federer

This man is just a freak. He is a superhuman tennis player who makes it all look easy.

The best thing about Roger Federer is that for considering how much of a superstar he is, he could probably almost understandably be the most arrogant person in the world.

However every time you see him interviewed and conducting himself (unlike some other fools on the tennis circuit) he is always the upmost gentleman.

#4) Nathan Hindmarsh

If Roger Federer is a freak than Nathan Hindmash is like the energiser bunny. He just never stops. He is a football legend that plays for my favourite team – The Parramatta Eels.

He is not the typical footballer prototype. Sure he’s strong and solid but his physique wouldn’t exactly win awards (sorry Hindy) but his ticker is bigger than any other player without a doubt.

He can play the full game. He can sprint and chase down men three times as fast as him when the team actually needs it the most.

I love watching him and he is the perfect role model for every young kid growing up. He is as far from the football moron stereotype as you can get and the sort of guy you’d love to have a beer with at the pub.

#5) Cadel Evans

I thought about my 5th spot for a while as I ideally wanted to only feature one athlete from each sport. But I just couldn’t leave out this guy.

After reading his book that I got for Christmas “Close to Flying” I am more impressed with him.

He has put cycling as a sport on the map for Australians because he is so dominant at what he does.

And to think what may have been possible in 2007 and 2008 if he had a team that was half decent to get him up the mountains in the Tour de France.

I’m excited for what’s ahead for Cadel in this years tour now that he has a new team and George Hincapie (Lance’s old lieutenant) as his wingman.

I’d love to hear what you think in the comments section below – did I miss anyone out?

Some might say Tiger Woods should be in this list considering his achievements on the golfing green but his well documented off course exploits of late have ruled him out for mine. Besides, who knows, after his wife allegedly gave him a good hiding with the golf clubs he might have a fear of the clubs in the future!

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