The Active Times Reveals ‘AT50’: Earth’s Best Athletes

The Active Times Reveals ‘AT50’: Earth’s Best Athletes

The Active Times just unveiled a new list of the Earth’s 50 Best Athletes (AT50), honoring the top outdoor and endurance athletes in the world. With skills and endeavors as different and diverse as the natural world itself, these individuals are like-minded, individualistic, achievement-oriented athletes dedicated to sports that take years to master, and often dangerous natural challenges to navigate. 

The AT50 recognized top athletes in climbing, mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, standup paddle boarding (SUP), kayaking, swimming, cycling, running, triathlon and adventure. This year, 12 athletes returned to the list and 38 newcomers claimed their spots. 

“Since our first AT50 ranking of the world’s best athletes in 2013, we’ve seen so many incredible athletes pushing the boundaries of what the world thought was possible,” said Diana Gerstacker, editor at The Active Times. “We’re thrilled to recognize inspiring individuals who continue to expand on their impressive careers.” 

To compile the AT50, The Active Times reached out to experts in their respective fields for nominations of the best athletes on earth. The nominated athletes received points for high-profile competition wins (where applicable), innovation in their sports, versatility in their career body of work, inherent risk and notoriety. If they appeared on the 2013 list, they received points for remaining a dominant figure in their sport. Although the sports included are extremely different, the variety of metrics used leveled the playing field.

“Clearly, a ranking of this kind means that we’re comparing what’s typically considered incomparable?and there’s sure to be some heated debate,” said Gerstacker. “But the AT50 recognizes those who represent the pinnacle of their sport and longstanding success in it. Together they are a dream team of the best natural athletes in the world.”

Final Ranking 

Rank	Athlete	Sport
1	Alex Honnold	Climb
2	Steve Fisher	Kayak
3	Eric Boomer	Kayak/Adventure
4	Adam Ondra	Climb
5	Ueli Steck	Mountaineer/Climb
6	Rebecca Rusch	Mountain bike
7	Will Gadd	Adventure (world¹s best ice climber)
8	Marianne Vos	Cycle (multi-discipline)
9	Katinka Hosszú	Swim
10	Sean O¹Neill	Climb/adventure paraathlete
11	Kelly Slater	Surf
12	Kílian Jornet	Trail Runner/ Ski Mountaineer
13	Eric Larsen	Adventure
14	Maya Gabeira	Surf
15	Dane Jackson	Kayak
16	Usain Bolt	Run
17	Candide Thovex	Ski
18	Chris Sharma	Climb
19	Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner	Mountaineer
20	Sarah McNair-Landry	Adventure
21	Apa Sherpa	Mountaineer
22	Kelly Clark	Snowboard
23	Kim Havell	Adventure/Ski Mountaineer
24	Nouria Newman	Kayak
25	Tommy Caldwell	Climb
26	Kevin Jorgeson	Climb
27	Tina Maze	Ski
28	Georgia Gould	Mountain Bike
29	Sarah Sjöström	Swim
30	Tatyana McFadden	Hand Cyclist
31	Mirinda Carfrae	Triathlon
32	Pauline Ferrand-Prevot	Cycle (multi-discipline)
33	Wilson Kipsang	Run
34	Kye Petersen	Ski/Adventure
35	Gwen Jorgensen	Triathlon
36	Izzi Gomez	SUP
37	Hazel Findlay	Climb
38	Mayan Smith-Gobat	Climb
39	Yunidis Castillo	Run (paralympics
40	Yiannis Kouros	Run
41	John John Florence	Surf
42	Adam Peaty	Swim
43	Sage Kotsenberg	Snowboard
44	Jamie Anderson	Snowboard
45	Katie Ledecky	Swim
46	Courtney Conlogue	Surf
47	David Wiens	Cycle/MTB
48	Tanner Hall	Ski
49	Chris Froome	Cycle
50	Mark McMorris	Snowboard