The Top Multi-Sport Professional
Athletes
While most sportsmen and
women will focus on one sport, there are times that they migrate to a different
passion. It could be because they want to try something new or they may have
always loved both sports or types of events equally. Not all succeed in
both—look at Michael Jordan who migrated to baseball but returned to basketball
after finding that was his true calling.
Here are the top
multi-sport professional athletes. These are the ones who prove it is possible.
Freddie Flintoff: From Cricketer to Boxer
One of the most recent
multi-sport personalities is Freddie Flintoff. Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff went
from England fast bowler and captain to a boxer; and did it successfully. He
trained hard and worked at it every day to prove that he was more than an
integral part of the England’s 2005 Ashes team. He took a major risk and it
could have been the end of the support from people all over the world, but he
proved that it really was possible.
He decided to leave
cricket in 2009 after suffering numerous injuries, taking him off the field. He
definitely ended on a high when he ran out the captain of the Australian team,
Ricky Ponting. As well as a boxer, he had moved into the TV and media, being
the face of popular clothing brands.
Ian Botham: Cricketer and Soccer Player
Ian Botham was another UK
great who proved it was possible to do two sports at once. While having a
highly successful cricket career, he was playing professional soccer; something
that very few athletes are able to pull off. He even showed that through
determination, talent and practise, it is possible to become captain of the
England team.
However, he didn’t shy
away from controversies, and found himself in trouble a number of times. Since
retiring, though, he has focused on charitable causes and received a knighthood
from the Queen for his work with charities around the world.
Alex Zanardi: Proving Loss of Legs Doesn’t Mean an End to a
Career
Alex Zanardi was a
successful IndyCar racer. He had reached the heights and had fans around the
globe. Unlike many before and after him, though, he didn’t have the choice over
switching sports. In 2001, he suffered a terrible crash that led to the loss of
both of his legs. However, instead of letting that be the end of his career, he
trained into a different sport.
In 2012, Zanardi was back
and this time at the London Olympics. He took up hand-cycling and won two
medals.
Lawrence Okoye: Olympian Turned Football Player
Lawrence Okoye first
proved to be promising in the world of rugby union. However, he decided that
athletics was more his style and he wanted to become an Olympian. At the age of
19, he won gold at the European Athletics Championships for the under-23s in
his event, Discus, but his Olympic goal didn’t quite happen. He came 12th
in the London 2012 Olympics.
That wasn’t going to get
him down though. Instead of focusing more effort for Rio, he has decided to
make a switch in careers. Never playing a game didn’t stop him either, with the
San Francisco 49ers showing an interest immediately; maybe it was his rugby
union background.
Ellyse Perry: Another Cricketer and Soccer Player
Who said all great sports
players were men? Ellyse Perry is the first woman in Australia to play in both
the soccer and the cricket world cups and is the youngest cricket player that Australia
has ever had—males included! At the age of 22, she has accomplished more than
many would dream of in their lives but knows that she will have to choose
between the two games.
She nearly didn’t make it
to the 2013 World Cup though when the team she was playing for, Canberra United
Football Club wanted her to choose in 2012. However, Perry made a switch and
signed with Sydney, who agreed with her cricket club that she could continue to
enjoy both for now.
Rebecca Romero: Olympic Rower Turned Olympic Cyclist
Rebecca Romero is another
female proving that girls are just as good. She started her career as a rower
and went onto gain silver at Athens during the 2004 Olympic Games, along with
three others in her quadruple skulls team. They would win gold at the World
Championships in 2005.
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Rebecca Romero proved that it is possible to excel at two sports,
winning Olympic silver in rowing and Olympic gold in cycling. (Credit: johnthescone at Flickr)
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It all came to an end when
Romero suffered back injuries that forced her to quit rowing. Not wanting to
give up sport or her Olympic dreams completely, she made a change to cycling.
By 2008, she was the first British woman to compete in two sports in two
Olympics and won gold!
It is possible to play two
sports and be successful. Men and women have proven it, but it does take
determination, practice and talent.
About Me:
I’m Phil Aye. A fantasy
sports enthusiast. You can follow me on Twitter at @sfdrafts.
