Daley Thompson

Daley was simply the world's greatest decathlete, drawing on a competitive attitude and ability that was unparalleled. His exuberant character on and off the track was key to his success and popularity and made athletics front-page news. Daley Thompson claims more decathlon honours than anybody before or after him. He was the first person ever to hold the World, Olympic, Commonwealth and European titles at the same time, as well as the World Record. He was unbeaten in competition for 9 years.

He was Olympic Champion in 1980 and 1984, World Champion in 1983, European Champion in 1982 and 1986 and Commonwealth Champion in 1978, 1982, and 1986 and he set four World Records (8648 in 1980, 8730 and 8774 in 1982 and 8847 in his Olympic triumph in Los Angeles in 1984).Daley retired from athletics in 1992 as a result of injury, and went on to play football for Wimbledon and Mansfield Town FC. He was awarded the MBE in 1982, an OBE in 1986 and advanced to CBE in 2000, and was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1982.