That’s why veteran track and field journalist David Powell was called upon to produce his list of the top 50 Olympic athletes of all time.

It’s a ranking sure to stir debate, and you can read more about Powell’s methodology at The Times‘ Web site.  To whet your appetite a bit, here are his Top 10:

1. Carl Lewis, U.S.: Sprinter and four-time Olympic long jump champion won nine gold medals in all.

2. Paavo Nurmi, Finland: Distance runner claimed nine gold medals, five in one Games (1924).

3. Jackie Joyner-Kersee, U.S.: Two-time heptathlon champion scored a record 7,291 points in 1988.

4. Emil Zatopek, Czech Republic: Distance runner claimed four gold medals in three Games (1948, ‘52, ‘56).

5. Ray Ewry, U.S.: Won a record 10 gold medals between 1900 and 1908 in standing high jump, standing long jump, and standing triple jump — all events no longer on the program.

6. Lasse Viren, Finland: Distance legend won the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in both 1972 and ‘76.

7. Michael Johnson, U.S.: Won three individual gold medals but is best known for his breathtaking 200 meters in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where his 19.32 shattered the previous world record by .34 seconds.

8. Ville Ritola, Finland: Took home five golds and three silvers in various distance races in 1924.

9. Irena Szewinska, Poland: Competed in three Olympics (1968, ‘72 and ‘76), winning seven medals, including two gold (200 meters in 1968, 400 meters in 1976).

10. Shirley Strickland, Australia: Sprinter and hurdler won seven medals, three gold, in three Olympic appearances (1948, ‘52, ‘56).

To read more about these, and to see the rest of the list, visit timesonline.com.

There are many opportunities to win gold in the Summer Olympic Games, but it takes a wide spectrum of talents to take home very many of them. Here are those select few who have succeeded the most:

Men:

14 – PHELPS, Michael (USA), aquatics, 2004-2008
9 – LEWIS, Carl (USA), athletics, 1984-1996
9 – NURMI, Paavo (FIN), athletics, 1920-1928
9 – SPITZ, Mark (USA), aquatics, 1968-1972
8 – BIONDI, Matthew (USA), aquatics, 1984-1992
8 – EWRY, Ray (USA), athletics, 1900-1908
8 – KATO, Sawao (JPN), gymnastics, 1968-1976

Women:

9 – LATYNINA, Larisa (URS), gymnastics, 1956-1964
8 – THOMPSON, Jenny (USA), aquatics, 1992-2004
8 - FISCHER-SCHMIDT, Birgit (GDR-GER), canoe / kayak, 1980-2004
7 – CASLAVSKA, Vera (TCH), gymnastics, 1960-1968
6 - OTTO, Kristin (GDR), aquatics, 1988

Source: olympic.org