Do you agree with the result?
This debate is now closed.
The rower beat Manchester United footballers Sir Bobby Charlton and David Beckham into second and third spots.
Jayne Torvill was the highest placed woman in 12th, followed by Paula Radcliffe (33rd) and Tanni Grey-Thompson (42nd).
Apart from Beckham and world heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis, the top 10 is made up of former sportsmen.
Who gets your vote?
A notable omission is the often over-looked sporting god CB Fry. World-class batsman, international soccer player and world record holder for the long jump - a leap that was not exceeded by a Briton for 30 years.
Away from the competitive arena he was a Parliamentary candidate, one of the founding fathers of sports journalism, a British representative at the League of Nations and even invited to become King of Albania!
Although he lived in a totally different age, and his personal values were somewhat eccentric (to say the least) he is probably the greatest sporting all-rounder this nation has ever produced and as such deserves an honourable mention.
Kevin,
England
The poll promotes healthy debate about sport if nothing else. What about Fred Perry, Carl Fogarty, Jonathan Edwards, Gary Lineker, Len Hutton, Shaun Edwards and Phil Bennett? - to name but a few. Redgrave is obvious and about right, Beckham - oh dear.
Steve, UK
I think Red Rum is the greatest. Ran in five Grand Nationals over the old fences, won three and was second in the other two - a feat beyond the realms of fantasy. The first victory in 1973 saw the course record broken by 19 seconds, which is incredible.
The public got a lot of mileage from Red Rum and he should be remembered as a truly great player on the sporting stage.
Graham Scott,
UK
This list is an absolute disgrace. Paul Gascoigne? Are you serious? How can he compare to Ryan Giggs or John Charles or George Best? Will Carling and Rory Underwood - what a joke.
How about the top points scorer in rugby union history, Neil Jenkins? And where's Colin Jackson's name as 110m hurdles world record holder for the past nine years; a man who has dominated his sport for almost 20 years. If great sportspeople means the 1966 England World Cup squad, then you can keep your stupid list.
S Griffiths,
Wales
What happened to Stanley Matthews?
Mark van Gelder,
USA/London
Beckham? Do me a favour! Like most polls there's too much of the "here and now". My legend is the greatest race driver there's ever been; Jim Clark. Not only was he the best of the best, he was also one of the most sporting and honourable men ever to compete in any discipline.
Mike Strong, Scotland
To Derek Pairman (below), Lennox Lewis was born in East London, and moved to Canada at 12 years old, which makes him rather more British than Greg Rusedski.
I also laugh at the case for Chris Eubank, whose fortune was made under the WBO, an organisation apparently set up to enable second rate boxers to claim a world title without having to face any top Americans.
The anti-rowing sneers are childish. It takes an enormous amount of dedication to win one Olympic gold medal. To win five in such a demanding event is mind boggling.
While a piece of magic by George Best or Gareth Edwards, or Michael Owen's goal against Argentina are great entertainment, I find it hard to believe that anyone could not be inspired by the final of the Coxless Four in Sydney 2000.
Colin, England
Jackie Stewart - outstanding F1 driver and Olympic clay pigeon shooter - deserves to be in the top ten at least!
Bryn Roberts, UK
There's one name that should be gracing the top 10, yet isn't even in the top 50. William Ralph 'Dixie' Dean, the greatest centre-forward this country has ever seen.
A great man too, as he showed when Everton toured Germany in the '30s. Their hosts demanded that the team give the Nazi salute before games, but Dean, the captain, refused point blank - and the whole team followed his example. (Two years later, when England played Germany, the whole England team obediently saluted.) There's a captain for you.
Oh, and he scored 60 goals in a season, and 400-odd goals in his career. But he never played for Man Utd.
Hugo, England
Lester Piggott should definitely be high up in the list.
Elizabeth Tregurtha, United Kingdom
I firmly believe that Beckham shouldn't be in the top ten. What has he really achieved in his career? Yes, he's won some titles but that was in a very good Utd side that would have still won them without him.
I believe that Colin Jackson and Linford Christie should be there way before Beckham. Both of these men have been the best in their respective sports, with Jackson still holding the world record he set years ago! Please, let there be a vote that reflects true greatness and not modern day financial greed.
Stephen, UK
Nice to see that Jayne Torville is included. She and Christopher won everything in sight for five years and to come back 10 years after retirement to win an Olympic bronze medal (whatever the politics of it) was a huge achievement. Name another person who has maintained that sort of position over the same time scale. Well done Jayne!
David, UK
I agree that Carl Fogarty should be recognised, though it is true that these polls are more based on popularity than anything. Besides, Owen if anything should be in Beckham's place. A hat-trick in Munich. Need I say more?!
Michael Tanousis, England
Any list of Britain's greatest sporting legends must include Red Rum. OK, so he was a horse, but he was the greatest steeplechaser ever.
Jim Palmer, USA
Steve Redgrave should get the top spot, no problem! The level of training he has had to put in on a daily basis in order to win five back-to-back Olympic golds is phenomenal.
No other sportsmen put in the same degree of physical effort that rowers do in order to simply compete at an international level, never mind winning at the highest level over a sustained period of time.
James Cleland, Northern Ireland
Three footballers in the top ten obviously reflects the game's popularity. Bobby Moore: obvious as the captain of our greatest team. Beckham is the kids' vote. We all remember from being told so many times: "kids know nothing". He has certainly rendered great service to the hairdressing business. Maybe there was a mass vote there!
In terms of pure talent, for me it was Jimmy Greaves. The sportsman's profile after retirement obviously affects the vote. Lennox Lewis flies a flag of convenience, so despite his achievements I would prefer to see Henry Cooper or Don Cockle, who also came up against one of the greatest heavyweights,Rocky Marciano.
The winner; well, you can't take it away from him, but given rowing's low profile, the echo of "Steve who?" might be heard in many a bar outside the UK. Whatever your opinion, they are all great!
Lawrence Taylor,
Japan
What about David Bryant and Tony Allcock, an all-conquering world bowls pairing either of which could grace the list.
Bill, Scotland
Steve Redgrave is a phenomenon, he was strong, very fit and has a superb technique. But he only excelled at one sport. Beckham is not even a great footballer on a par with the likes of Booby Charlton, George Best and Bobby Moore. The same could be said for many on the list.
I agree with the comment that no current sportsmen or women should be on the list. Few have matched the all-round achievements of CB Fry, who was not only a wonderful cricketer, but a world record-holder at athletics and an international at soccer.
Others who excelled at international level at more than one sport include Ted Dexter (cricket and golf), MJK Smith (cricket and rugby), and Dennis Compton (cricket and soccer).
Ian Botham was also a league soccer player, Colin Cowdrey was a champion rackets player and useful rugby player. Daley Thompson excelled at 10 different athletic events so could be counted as an exceptional all-rounder. My vote would go to CB Fry, then Daley Thompson, Ian Botham and Dennis Compton.
Jeremy Wall, Philippines
Great to find Becks at third place. All those people who hate him out of jealousy have to shut up and measure the massive importance of the captain's presence for an England team of half-hearted performers.
Nuvin Balloo, Mauritius
I am absolutely astonished that Lennox Lewis has made the top 10 of British sporting stars. For a start, he was born in Canada. Secondly, he has really only beaten weak opponents or boxers who were approaching retirement. Add this to the fact he has a glass jaw (I could probably knock him down) and the decision is laughable. Did he threaten the judges?
Derek Pairman,
Scotland
A lot of this stems from what people think is a sport - most folk seem to think that things that are very hard physically count more than things that require less physical skills.
Probably a better question might be related to a particular sport or sport type so that comparisons are easier to make. Personally, I think that if you think Faldo/Mansell, you might as well include darts players too.
Peter Greaves, France
Frank Bruno has got to be above Lennox as he managed to become world champ when there was plenty more competition around. No man has had a stronger right hook in the sport since. He's a great ambassador for world heavyweight boxing. The man has got to be a legend.
Brian Huggett, Grimsby, London, ENG
OK so we all agree that the list is laughable, what with Di and Lennon in the top 10 and Boy George close behind - come on!
As regards sports greats, there are many that should figure above Becks and co, but one name springs to mind: that of Nick Faldo. Nothing more needs to be said, those of us that try and play the game appreciate his greatness. Let's have a sports poll!
Gary,
UK
Those who disagree with all those who put Sir Redgrave at the top of the list are clearly misled. Not only has he won five Olympic golds in an event requiring years of dedicated training, but has done so in a manner that all young sports men and women should look up to.
Having said this, sports people in team sports are always very hard to compare with those who have achieved greatness in individual sports.
Joe Williams,
UK
Two glaring omissions from the top 50:
1. Colin Jackson - Britain's most consistent top level athlete for over ten years.
2. Ellery Hanley - arguably the greatest ever British rugby player (of either code).
What a surprise there were no rugby league players in the top 50 - typical Southern bias!
Mike, Northern Ireland
How can Beckham be in the top 10??
Damien,
UK
The best sporting Brit without a shadow of a doubt has to be Carl Fogarty. Four-time world champion who had over 100,000 turn up to see him race at home, and a bigger travelling support in Europe than the England football team.
A man who was by far the greatest in his chosen sport. It's a shame to see though that, as to be expected in this sort of poll, Carl doesn't get a mention but "average" sports stars such as the likes of Ian Botham and David Beckham do.
Andrew Wood, England
To be one of the greatest ever, you need to dominate your sport for a long time. That is why Redgrave, rightly, is at the top of the pile and why Beckham should not be. On this criterion, the top five should have been Redgrave, Lester Piggott, Daley and Tanni Grey-Thompson and Lennox Lewis.
Footballers are the hardest to judge, as their success depends so much on the quality of their team-mates, but it has to be said that if George Best had been English, he would have been voted in above Charlton and Beckham.
Elliot C, England
Paula Radcliffe number 33?? I have a feeling if the poll was done again tomorrow she would feature much higher, and deservedly so. And as for Beckham at number three - 1003, more like.
Paul, UK
Finally some sense - only three footballers in the top ten (and one too many - Mr Beckham has yet to lead his team to a momentous victory).
Douglas, UK
Beckham in the Top 10? Someone is having a laugh! Redgrave is probably the right choice as he has been very successful over two decades in an endurance sport.
However, to have David Beckham there is a joke when you consider there is no place for Nick Faldo or Stephen Hendry/Steve Davis!
ER, N. Ireland
Is this Britain or England? No Hendry or George Best? And Beckham above Daley Thompson? Don't make me laugh. I feel a bit sorry for Becks though. He must get a little embarrassed that he gets into to these polls, only to be lambasted, when it's the fault of the ignorant voters, not him.
T Edwards, Brighton, England
I see the teenage girl fraternity have invaded yet another poll. It was embarrassing enough on Sunday in the BBC's Greatest Briton poll, to see Beckham alongside the Duke of Wellington and beating the man who gave us the vaccinations for smallpox!
But our third greatest sportsman ever? Daley Thompson was world-class at 10 events. Mansell, Faldo, Lewis, Pinsent, Radcliffe and Hendry have all been the best on the planet in their sports.
I really like Beckham, and I've no time for those who slate him, but he would not figure in any World XI, like George Best or Bobby Moore would have.
Mark, England
I am always amused by 'best ever' polls which only go to demonstrate an appalling lack of historical perspective by many of those responding. England's best ever sportsman; how about C. B. Fry? I can see the blank expressions...
Charles Burgess Fry had the looks of a Greek god and often performed like one. He possessed an array of talents that have never been equalled and his sporting achievements left a whole generation idolatrous and awestruck.
He played football for England, opened the batting for his country at cricket, and would have played rugby internationally but for his football commitments.
He was also the finest English track and field athlete of his day, holding the world long jump record and favourite to win the Olympic sprints had he not been busy elsewhere!
In his spare time Fry achieved first-class honours in Latin and Greek at Oxford, was a gifted writer who became a fine journalist, represented England at The League of Nations, commanded a naval training school, stood for parliament three times and, believe it or not, was once offered the throne of Albania!
Now, if only he'd married a Spice Girl...
Chris Wheatley,
New Zealand
Daley Thompson! Repeatedly the world's best all-round athlete. Who else can claim such a thing?
Randy, UK
Beckham shouldn't be in the top 10 when Nick Faldo (former World number one and six-time major winner) isn't in there.
Marc Sanders, UK
If winning five consecutive gold medals is not enough to be the number sporting legend then what is? Living in the UK, it's easy for us to hold up our national heroes (like Beckham) as if they were also similarly revered on the international stage.
However, Steve is acknowledged all over the world as the most accomplished endurance athlete the World has ever seen. A sense of perspective please.
Mehboob, England
Colin Jackson is the greatest sportsman in the UK. Who else won over 30 straight races when in their prime?
Tarol, Wales
Redgrave is certainly the top man for Britain, but surely Pinsent deserves as much credit? Beckham may be a good player, but better than Charlton, Moore, Best, Daglish...?
Aaron, England
Beckham should not be in the top ten, let alone third. Many better sports men and women who are no longer competing should be higher up the list than Beckham!
Abigail, Canada
Yet again the British public show a complete lack of sense in their choice of all-time greats. David Beckham is very good, but by no means a great. I always think that the eligibility criteria should be retirement ten or more years ago to allow a proper perspective.
I would rank any number of boxers like McGuigan or Eubank ahead of Lewis, who has faltered his way to the top of the weakest heavyweight division in recent history. He'd be hard pressed to come in a boxing top ten, let alone a sporting one.
David Pearce, Hong Kong
Lester Piggott was the world's premier jockey for 30 years and he can't make England's top ten? Don't make me laugh.
Chris Wheatley, New Zealand
Henry Cooper, European, Commonwealth and British heavyweight champion took on, and was close to knocking out, the brash upstart Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) 18 June, 1963.
His famed left hook floored Clay with seconds left in round four. But for the bell and for an extra minute between rounds due to a split glove, Henry would have beaten Clay. Despite this Henry Cooper stands head and shoulders above the rest and, to my mind, is the greatest.
David Garland,
UK
Beckham shouldn't even be in the top 10, he's not in the same league as some of the others in there.
Paul, England
No-one who is still competing should be considered. Athletes should be judged over their career. When Paula Radcliffe wins that Olympic gold, then she will be right up there, maybe in the top 10.
But these things are always flawed anyway. For example, WG Grace was a legend in his time, but how do we know he wouldn't be rubbish against, say, the current Australian team? The same goes for all these '60s soccer legends. Sport science has evolved so much that I would bet these legends would struggle with the modern game.
Andrew, New Zealand
Steve Redgrave is not only Britain's greatest sport star; he is the greatest Olympian of all time, the only person ever to win five consecutive gold medals in an endurance sport. He has been the best at this high endurance sport for 16 years, who else can say that? Rowing requires much more skill than power.
Diane Robinson, UK
Within their field, Formula One drivers like Stirling Moss, Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart are absolute legends. I think one of them deserved a top 10 place.
Matt,
UK
As commendable as the work of Steve Redgrave and the others in the top 10 is, none of them can compare to what Lennox Lewis has to cope with everytime he goes for 'a day in the office'. His talents combined with his achievements in such a terrifying sport should place him solidly at No.1 forever.
Neil hunter, England
Steve Redgrave is definitely the best Olympian we have ever had. To be at the top of his sport for 20 years is a phenomenon that will not be easily beaten.
I find it hard to believe that Daley Thompson came as low as he did as he is someone who had to be the master of so many different sports that he surely has to be a contender for the title.
On the female side of things, Paula Radcliffe is by far the better sports woman, who is only just reaching her prime. She is top of my list for female sports person any day.
Paddy, UK
I can't believe Faldo isn't on the top 10. Top sportspeople should be people that actually win things in competitive sports on a world stage - something Beckham's never done, or ever likely to do!
Matt, UK
Phil Taylor is Britain's greatest sportsman. For some, darts may be a beer-guzzling free-for-all, but this ignores the tremendous hand-eye co-ordination required. Darts is sheer drama, and what more do you need in a sport?
Taylor's been world champ ten times and completely dominates the major trophies. It's a privilege to be able to watch such a great athlete at the top of his game. Long live 'The Power!
Graham Lewis, Llanelli, Wales
Redgrave deserves his top spot. Five Olympic golds in an endurance sport like rowing is an unbelievable achievement. Redgrave would probably be in a world top 10. As for the others, Beckham is good, but isn't the best ever. In five years time, Paula Radcliffe will be in the top five!
Linsey Cole,
England
Beckham at three? I'm a United fan and think it's crazy that he should be above the likes of Bannister, Grace and Thompson, let alone in the top 10! Personally, I think Mansell should be in with a shout of the 10.
Craig McDermott, Manchester, UK
A rower? Do me a favour. Sport should be about flare and skill and passion. Redgrave and his chums are just machines. OK, so he's been dominant for 20 years, but I'd rather watch eggs boil than watch a rowing race. Give me a piece of magic from George Best any day. I'd rank Steve Davis ahead of Steve Redgrave!
Peter Moore, Scotland