Time 100 includes most Olympians in annual lists history – Home of the Olympic Channel

The Time 100 Most Influential list includes eight Olympians, the most ever in the annual lists 19-year history. At least one Olympian made each edition dating to the first year in 2004.

Beijing Olympic gold medalistsNathan ChenandEileen Guwere joined by soccer playersAlex Morgan,Megan RapinoeandBecky Sauerbrunn, tennis players Rafael Nadal and Peng Shuai and basketball player Candace Parker.

Time 100 listees are based on factors including relevance, impact, innovation, leadership, ambition and success.

Chen and Gu were spotlight athletes in February, each earning gold at the Beijing Games. Chen became the first U.S. singles figure skater to take gold since 2010, four years after struggling as a favorite. Figure skaters Adam Rippon(2018) andYuna Kim(2010) previously made the Time 100.

That perseverance never wavered, even after his first Olympics didnt go as hed hoped, two-time Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan wrote for Time. He trained for another four years and showed the world just how fierce a competitor he is.

Gu earned two golds and a bronze in freestyle skiing as the host nations biggest star. She competed while scrutinized for her decision to switch representation in 2019 from the U.S. to China, her mothers birth nation.

Its hard for athletes particularly Olympic athletes to transcend their sport. Eileen Gu is an exception to that rule, fellow Olympic freeskier Gus Kenworthy wrote for Time. Im not sure Ive ever seen anybody more disciplined, driven, or determined than Eileen. And hard work pays off.

Morgan, Rapinoe and Sauerbrunn have been longtime leaders for the U.S. womens soccer team, winning Olympic and World Cup titles. Last week, after a yearslong battle, a historic victory was scored with the announcement of equal pay for the U.S. mens and womens national teams.

Nadal made the list for a second time 13 years after his previous appearance after winning a mens record-breaking 21st major singles title at the Australian Open.

Peng, an Olympic tennis player in 2008, 2012 and 2016, made the list in the Icons category. Last November, she accused a former high-ranking Chinese government official of sexual assault in a Weibo post that was soon deleted.

Parker, a 36-year-old mom, won her second WNBA title last season and first with her hometown team, the Chicago Sky.

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Olympians and Paralympians on Time100 lists, counting only athletes who had competed in the Games before being listed:

2022 Nathan Chen, Eileen Gu, Alex Morgan, Rafael Nadal, Candace Parker, Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn, Peng Shuai2021 Simone Biles, Allyson Felix, Suni Lee, Naomi Osaka2020 Allyson Felix, Maya Moore, Megan Rapinoe, Dwyane Wade2019 LeBron James, Alex Morgan,Mo Salah, Caster Semenya2018 Kevin Durant,Roger Federer,Chloe Kim,Adam Rippon2017 Simone Biles, LeBron James, Neymar2016 Usain Bolt,Caitlyn Jenner,Katie Ledecky,Sania Mirza,Ronda Rousey2015 Abby Wambach2014 Cristiano Ronaldo, Serena Williams2013 LeBron James, Li Na, Lindsey Vonn2012 Novak Djokovic,Lionel Messi,Oscar Pistorius2011 Lionel Messi2010 Yuna Kim,Serena Williams2009 Rafael Nadal2008 Andre Agassi,Lance Armstrong,Oscar Pistorius2007 Roger Federer,Chien Ming-Wang2006 JoeyCheek,Steve Nash2005 LeBron James2004 Lance Armstrong, Paula Radcliffe, Yao Ming2000 (20th Century) Muhammad Ali

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Time 100 includes most Olympians in annual lists history - Home of the Olympic Channel