In a recent ranking released by ESPN, legendary swimmer Michael Phelps has been named the number one athlete since 2000. The list, which was compiled based on over 70,000 votes from contributors worldwide, included athletes from various sports and genders.

Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, secured his top spot with an astounding 28 Olympic medals, 23 of them being gold. His record-breaking performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he won eight gold medals and broke seven world records, cemented his status as a legendary athlete.

Meanwhile, fellow swimmer Katie Ledecky also made an impressive showing on the list, ranking 15th overall. Ledecky, known for her dominance in the pool, holds the distinction of being the most successful female swimmer with six individual Olympic gold medals. In 2023, she surpassed Phelps to become the winningest swimmer in World Championships history with 21 gold medals.

ESPN's methodology for creating the list involved experts from different sports voting to rank athletes within their respective sports. The voting process narrowed down the pool of candidates and eventually resulted in the final list of 100 athletes. This list was then evaluated by a panel of experts for any inconsistencies or oversights.

Although the ranking is considered global, it predominantly features American athletes, with 56 out of the top 100 ranked athletes hailing from the United States. Additionally, the majority of athletes on the list play or have played in American professional sports leagues such as the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, or WNBA.

Soccer stood out as the most internationally represented sport, with 14 out of the 15 athletes ranked in this category being non-American. In total, the list included 80 male athletes and 20 female athletes, showcasing the achievements of both genders in the sporting world.

While some may argue the American-centric nature of the list, there is no denying the remarkable accomplishments of athletes like Phelps and Ledecky. Their dominance in the pool has solidified their status as true champions in the 21st century.

As the world eagerly awaits the Paris Olympics in 2024, Phelps and Ledecky will continue to inspire future generations with their extraordinary achievements in the pool.