See What You Know About The Best Sports Has To Offer By Getting 100% On This Famous Athletes Quiz!
Written by Daniel Rackley
Last updated · 14 min play time
The sports world has definitely produced some notable figures. Some of them have become legendary figures in the sporting world from their acts on the field or on the court, some from their personalities alone. Take this quiz and see what you know about these famous athletes!
Quiz written by
Daniel RackleyFamous Athletes Quiz Questions
61 Questions · 149 Plays · No comments
Question 1
Andrew "Rube" Foster was known for his involvement in which baseball institution?
-
AInternational League
-
BNegro leagues
-
CNational League
-
DAmerican League
Negro leagues
Foster managed the Chicago American Giants and founded the Negro National League in 1920. He is known as the "father of Black Baseball".
Question 2
In 1989, Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti banned which player from baseball?
-
ADarryl Strawberry
-
BRollie Fingers
-
CDwight Gooden
-
DPete Rose
Pete Rose
To this day, Rose remains banned from baseball for betting on games as a player and a manager. Commissioner Giamatti is the father of actor Paul Giamatti.
Question 3
In 1947, who became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball?
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AFrank Robinson
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BJackie Robinson
-
CLarry Doby
-
DSatchel Paige
Jackie Robinson
Robinson made his major league debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. Since 1997, that day has been "Jackie Robinson Day" where every player wears #42.
Question 4
Chipper Jones spent his entire Major League Baseball career as a member of which team?
-
ALos Angeles Dodgers
-
BAtlanta Braves
-
CNew York Mets
-
DCleveland Indians
Atlanta Braves
Jones played for the Braves from 1993-2012.
Question 5
Which gymnast was the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal at the Olympics?
-
AMary Lou Retton
-
BNastia Liukin
-
CCarly Patterson
-
DGabby Douglas
Mary Lou Retton
In 1984, Mary Lou Retton won the gold medal in the individual all-around competition, and she also won two silver and two bronze medals. The next American woman to do so was Carly Patterson in 2004.
Question 6
Which female tennis player famously beat the former men's champion Bobby Riggs in what is known as the Battle of the Sexes?
-
AMonica Seles
-
BMargaret Court
-
CBillie Jean King
-
DChris Evert
Billie Jean King
In 1973, former champion Bobby Riggs attempted to beat the top female tennis players only to have King easily beat him on September 20, 1973, in front of an audience that included 90 million television viewers. In addition to her success on the court beyond the Battle of the Sexes, Jean also formed the Women's Tennis Association and was an advocate for equal payouts for men and women.
Question 7
What pictured former NFL head coach is a Hall of Fame inductee for his playing career?
-
AMarv Levy
-
BMike Ditka
-
CBud Grant
-
DJoe Gibbs
Mike Ditka
Ditka, a 1988 inductee, played tight end for the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys during his NFL career. He won Super Bowl VI as a player and won Super Bowl XX as the Chicago Bears head coach.
Question 8
Babe Ruth began his Major League Baseball career as a member of which team?
-
AChicago Cubs
-
BNew York Giants
-
CBoston Red Sox
-
DWashington Senators
Boston Red Sox
Ruth played for the Red Sox from 1914-19 before being traded to the Yankees, possibly causing the Red Sox to have an 86-year championship drought known as "The Curse of the Bambino".
Question 9
Which Baseball Hall of Famer is known as "The Say Hey Kid"?
-
AWillie Mays
-
BBarry Bonds
-
CHank Aaron
-
DBabe Ruth
Willie Mays
Mays was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.
Question 10
What NHL player holds the record for most goals in a season, including playoffs?
-
APaul Coffey
-
BGordie Howe
-
CMario Lemieux
-
DWayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky, often considered the best hockey player in history, holds or shares a total of 61 records in the NHL. One of his records is for the most goals scored in a season, including playoffs, with 1,016 goals. In second place is Gordie Howe with 869.
Question 11
Which baseball player is known as the "Iron Man"?
-
ACal Ripken Jr.
-
BManny Ramirez
-
CMiguel Tejada
-
DCraig Biggio
Cal Ripken Jr.
Cal Ripken Jr. played his entire career for the Baltimore Orioles and served as a cornerstone of the franchise for 20 years. He earned the nickname "Iron Man" when he broke Lou Gehrig's streak on September 6, 1995, of 2,130 consecutive games played.
Question 12
Who won the only gold medal in the 1968 Olympics for the U.S.?
-
APeggy Fleming
-
BDiane Holum
-
CMary Meyers
-
DJenny Fish
Peggy Fleming
In 1968, Peggy Fleming was the only athlete at the Olympics to win a gold medal for the U.S. team. Her win also signaled a resurgence of figure skating in the U.S. after the airplane tragedy of 1961 in which the entire U.S. figure skating team was killed.
Question 13
Who is the only player to have played for the MLB and NFL at the same time?
-
ADeion Sanders
-
BDrew Henson
-
CBrian Jordan
-
DTim Tebow
Deion Sanders
Although others have played in both the MLB and NFL, Deion Sanders is the only one in the modern eras of the sport to play both simultaneously. In one week, he not only scored a touchdown but also hit a home run.
Question 14
Which driver is the only female to have won an IndyCar Series race?
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AJanet Guthrie
-
BSara Christian
-
CDanica Patrick
-
DSarah Fisher
Danica Patrick
Although Danica Patrick never won a NASCAR Cup race, she did win an IndyCup race in 2008 in Japan at the Twin Ring Motegi race course.
Question 15
Which NFL player is the only one to have won five Super Bowls for the same team?
-
ATom Brady
-
BTerry Bradshaw
-
CJoe Montana
-
DCharles Haley
Tom Brady
Tom Brady and Charles Haley have both won five Super Bowls, but Brady did so while on the same team, while Haley's super bowl victories came while playing for different teams. Brady has also had eight Super Bowl appearances as the quarterback, the most for any player in history.
Question 16
How many home runs did Babe Ruth have in his career?
-
A725
-
B320
-
C531
-
D714
714
Before his retirement in 1935, Babe Ruth hit an impressive 714 home runs, 60 of which occurred in the 1927 season. He had a total of 2,873 hits and a batting average of .342. After all these decades, he still remains number three of all time home runs hit behind Barry Bonds and Hank Aaron.
Question 17
Which NBA player holds the record for the most points scored in a career?
-
AKareem Abdul-Jabaar
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BMichael Jordan
-
CKarl Malone
-
DKobe Bryant
Kareem Abdul-Jabaar
Kareem Abdul-Jabaar holds the record for the most points in a career with an impressive 38,387. He leads by more than 1,000 points. Karl Malone is number two with 36,928, followed by Kobe Bryant with 33,643.
Question 18
Which beach volleyball duo won 21 consecutive Olympic matches and earned three straight Olympic gold medals?
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ALauren Fendrick and Brooke Sweat
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BMisty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings
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CApril Ross and Kerri Walsh Jennings
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DLaura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings
Misty May-Trainer and Kerri Walsh Jennings played together for 11 years, during which they only lost one Olympic match against Australia in 2012 and won 21 consecutive matches. During this time, they also won the gold medal in 2004, 2008, and 2012. Their success has earned them status as the greatest beach volleyball team of all time.
Question 19
Which NFL player holds the record for the most completed field goals in a career?
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AMatt Stover
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BGary Anderson
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CNeil Rackers
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DMorten Andersen
Morten Andersen
Morten Andersen completed 565 field goals during his career that spanned from 1982 to 2007. In second place is Gary Anderson with 538.
Question 20
To which fighter did Ronda Rousey suffer her first loss after winning 12 consecutive MMA fights?
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ABethe Correia
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BAmanda Nunes
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CAlexis Davis
-
DHolly Holm
Holly Holm
In 2015, the world was shocked when Rousey suffered her first loss to Holly Holm after 12 consecutive wins. Rousey still has an impressive record of 12-2-0. Eight of her 12 professional victories occurred in the first round through armbar submission. She also has three knockouts to her name.
Question 21
Which American track and field star was the first to win four gold medals in a single Olympics games?
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ACarl Lewis
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BAlvin Kraenzlein
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CJames Lightbody
-
DJesse Owens
Jesse Owens
In the 1936 Olympics, Jesse Owens broke the record by winning four Olympic gold medals. He won the 100 m, 200 m, 4 x 100 m relay, and long jump.
Question 22
Which NASCAR driver holds the record for most wins?
-
ADale Earnhardt
-
BLee Petty
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CJeff Gordon
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DRichard Petty
Richard Petty
Richard Petty holds the record for all-time wins with 200. He also holds the record for all-time pole positions at 123 and shares the record for the most series championships at seven with Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson. He also has the record for the most laps completed and led.
Question 23
Which NBA player holds the record for the highest career regular-season scoring average?
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ALeBron James
-
BMichael Jordan
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CMagic Johnson
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DKareem Abdul Jabbar
Michael Jordan
Among Michael Jordan's many accomplishments and legacies, he retains the NBA's highest regular season scoring average at 30.1 points per game.
Question 24
How many PGA tour victories did Jack Nicklaus win during his career?
-
A56
-
B18
-
C25
-
D73
73
During his career, Jack Nicklaus won a total of 73 PGA tour events. He also won 18 majors and is the oldest Masters champion after winning the event in 1986 at age 46. Nicklaus was also the first player to complete both double and triple career slams of the four major championships in professional golf.
Question 25
How many Grand Slams has Venus Williams played?
-
A16
-
B79
-
C7
-
D14
79
Playing 79 Grand Slams puts Venus Williams as the tennis player, male or female, who has played the most Grand Slams. She extended her record at the 2018 Wimbledon Championships. Williams won seven singles Grand Slam titles and Women's doubles Grand Slam with her sister Serena.
Question 26
Until 2013, this soccer player held the record for the number of goals in international competition for both men and women.
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AMia Hamm
-
BCarli Lloyd
-
CAbby Wambach
-
DHope Solo
Mia Hamm
Mia Hamm held the record for most goals scored in international competition with 158 goals until Abby Wambach surpassed her in 2013. Hamm retired from the national soccer team in 2008 and was twice named FIFA's Women's World Player of the Year.
Question 27
Which NBA player holds the record for the most seasons playing for a single team during an entire career?
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AJohn Stockton
-
BReggie Miller
-
CTim Duncan
-
DKobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers for his entire 20-year career. This led to his having the record for the most season playing for the same team for an entire career. He also was the first guard in the NBA to play at least 20 seasons and ranks third for all-time regular season scoring. However, his record may be surpassed by Dirk Nowitzki.
Question 28
How many world titles has Kelly Slater won?
-
A3
-
B11
-
C7
-
D13
11
Considered one of the greatest surfers ever, Kelly Slater won 11 World Titles during his career. He also has 55 victories and holds numerous world records. His average heat score is 6.82 and his average wave score is 3.43.
Question 29
Which NFL quarterback holds the record for the most passes attempted in a career?
-
ABrett Favre
-
BDan Marino
-
CJohn Elway
-
DDrew Bledsoe
Brett Favre
Brett Favre holds the current record for the most passes in an NFL career. He played from 1991 to 2007, mostly for the Green Bay Packers. During this time, he attempted 8,758 passes. This is 400 more than second place, which falls to Dan Marino.
Question 30
Which soccer goalkeeper holds the most career clean sheets record in the U.S?
-
AEmma Byrne
-
BStina Lykke Petersen
-
CMelissa Barbieri
-
DHope Solo
Hope Solo
Hope Solo was the goalkeeper for the U.S. women's team from 2000 to 2016, during which she earned the record for the most clean sheets in the U.S. Solo remains regarded as one of the top 5 female goalkeepers in the world, and she holds several other records.
Question 31
How many career strikeouts did Nolan Ryan have?
-
A4,562
-
B4,758
-
C5,714
-
D5,321
5,714
Nolan Ryan holds the record for the most career strikeouts with 5,714. His record is considered unbreakable, as he leads Randy Johnson, number 2, by 839 strikeouts. He also holds the record for no-hitters with seven and the number of bases on balls with 2,795.
Question 32
Which famous tennis player reached Number 8 singles player in the world despite never winning a singles title thanks to her achievements playing doubles?
-
AAnna Kournikova
-
BVenus Williams
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CMartina Hingis
-
DMaria Sharapova
Anna Kournikova
Anna Kournikova and doubles partner Martina Hingis won multiple Grand Slam titles and WTA Championships, leading to Kournikova ranking at Number 1 at times. Her success led to her also achieving the number 8 spot in singles tennis, despite not winning singles titles.
Question 33
Which triple Olympic gold medalist in track and field also suffered from severe asthma?
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ALolo Jones
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BFlorence Griffith Joyner
-
CJackie Joyner-Kersee
-
DAllyson Felix
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Jackie Joyner-Kersee was diagnosed with asthma as a college athlete in the 1980s. Despite her illness, she went on to be the first American woman to set world records in multiple event competition and is considered one of the best athletes in history. She won two Olympic Gold Medals in 1988 and a gold and bronze in 1992.
Question 34
How many Grand Slam men's championship titles does Roger Federer have?
-
A10
-
B30
-
C20
-
D15
20
Roger Federer has been in 30 Grand Slam finals and holds the record for the most men's singles championship titles with 20. He also holds the record for being at the number 1 spot for 302 weeks. He first reached number 1 in 2004, and he also became the oldest person to hold it when he was 36.
Question 35
Which MLB player holds the record for the most grand slams in a career?
-
AManny Ramirez
-
BAlex Rodriguez
-
CLou Gehrig
-
DEddie Murray
Alex Rodriguez
During his impressive career, Alex Rodriguez broke Lou Gehrig's record for the most grand slams with 25. Gehrig had 23. Rodriguez also had 696 home runs and a batting average of .295.
Question 36
For which individual event does Missy Franklin currently hold a world record?
-
A100-meter freestyle
-
B200-meter backstroke (long course)
-
C200-meter breastroke
-
D100-meter butterfly
200-meter backstroke (long course)
In addition to the current world record for the 200-meter backstroke, she also holds American records for the 200-meter and 100-meter backstroke (long course). As part of the U.S. national team, Franklin also holds a world record for the 4 x 100-meter medley relay (short and long course).
Question 37
Which figure skater was the youngest woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the singles event at 15 years old?
-
ATara Lipinski
-
BNancy Kerrigan
-
CMichelle Kwan
-
DKristi Yamaguchi
Tara Lipinski
In 1998, Tara Lipinski won the gold medal in the individual ladies' singles category in the figure skating competition. At the time, she was 15 years old. She was also the youngest World champion, winning the title a year earlier.
Question 38
How many overall World Cup championships has Lindsey Vonn won?
-
A5
-
B4
-
C8
-
D2
4
Vonn has the second highest super ranking of all skiers, men and women. She is one of just two women to have won four World Cup overall championships after winning in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012. She also holds the record for 8 World Cup season titles in downhill and is the first American woman to have won a gold medal in the Olympics for downhill skiing.
Question 39
Who was the first player signed to the WNBA?
-
ALisa Leslie
-
BRebecca Lobo
-
CCynthia Cooper
-
DSheryl Swoopes
Sheryl Swoopes
In 2017, Sheryl Swoopes was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame for her accomplishments as a player. She was also the first to sign a contract to play when the WNBA first formed in 1996.
Question 40
How many World Cups did Pele help Brazil win over the course of his career?
-
A4
-
B3
-
C5
-
D2
3
Pele is still considered one of the best soccer players who ever played. He debuted on the world stage at the 1958 World Cup, where he scored three goals in the semifinals and two more in the finals to help Brazil win. He would be part of the Brazil team for three World Cup wins.
Question 41
How many fights did Muhammad Ali win by knockout in his career?
-
A37
-
B42
-
C8
-
D56
37
In Muhammad Ali's career, he won a total of 56 games and lost 5, and he had 37 knockouts.
Question 42
Who was the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal for the marathon?
-
AJoan Benoit
-
BRosa Mota
-
CGrete Waitz
-
DKatherine Switzer
Joan Benoit
The women's marathon first became an Olympic sport in 1984, and Joan Benoit won after an impressive return from knee surgery. Her winning time at 2:24:52 was almost four minutes ahead of the second place runner, Grete Waitz.
Question 43
Which WNBA player was the first to be named the MVP for the regular season, all-star game and playoff in the same season?
-
ASheryl Swoopes
-
BLisa Leslie
-
CTamika Catchings
-
DCandace Parker
Lisa Leslie
In the 2001 season, Lisa Leslie was awarded the regular season, All-Star Game and playoff MVP, marking the first player to achieve that success. In addition to her personal success, Leslie was also a member of the U.S. team that won gold at the Olympics in 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008.
Question 44
Which female golfer was the first to play against men in a PGA tour event?
-
AMickey Wright
-
BBabe Didrikson
-
CNancy Lopez
-
DJuli Inkster
Babe Didrikson
Babe Didrikson was one of the founding members of the LPGA and the first woman to play against men in a PGA tour event. She also was the first woman to win the British Women's Amateur Championship. Along with her 82 golf tournament wins, Didrikson also won two Olympic gold medals in track and field and was an all-American basketball player.
Question 45
Which tennis player is the only one to have held the number one ranking in both doubles and singles for more than 200 weeks?
-
ABillie Jean King
-
BSerena Williams
-
CChris Evert
-
DMartina Navratilova
Martina Navratilova
Martina Navratilova was number one in doubles for a record number of 237 weeks. She also reached number one in singles for 332 weeks. With this achievement, she became the only player to remain ranked number one for more than 200 weeks for both singles and doubles. Among her other records, she also holds the open era record for the most Grand Slam titles won by a single player, female or male.
Question 46
How many gold medals did Carl Lewis win at the Olympics?
-
A9
-
B3
-
C4
-
D7
9
Carl Lewis won a total of nine Olympic gold medals during his career. He won two in the 100 m, one in the 200 m, two in the 4 x 100 m, and four in the long jump. He won four of his golds in the 1984 Olympic Games. He also remains the only man to have four consecutive Olympic wins for the long jump.
Question 47
How many NFL records does Jerry Rice hold?
-
A45
-
B36
-
C25
-
D17
36
Jerry Rice holds 36 NFL records, the most of any other player. As one of the best receivers in history, Rice's records include most of the significant receiving records, including receptions, yards receiving, all-purpose yards, and touchdown receptions.
Question 48
How many international golf tournaments did Annika Sörenstam win before she retired in 2008?
-
A72
-
B90
-
C120
-
D10
90
Annika Sörenstam's impressive 90 international tournament wins, 72 of which were official LPGA events and 10 were majors, has led to her being hailed as one of the best female golfers in history. She also has the most wins to her name of any female golfer.
Question 49
How many Olympic medals does Allyson Felix have?
-
A6
-
B9
-
C4
-
D3
9
Allyson Felix competed in four Olympics as of 2018. She won a total of nine Olympic medals, six of which were gold and three silver: one in 2004, two in 2008, three in 2012 and three in 2016.
Question 50
Who is the most decorated female athlete in the history of the Winter Olympic games?
-
ABonnie Blair
-
BPeggy Fleming
-
CLindsey Vonn
-
DKristi Yamaguchi
Bonnie Blair
Speed skater Bonnie Blair has six Olympic medals. At the 1988 Winter Olympics, she won her first gold medal and set a world record. She also won gold in two events in 1992 and again in 1994, making her the most decorated woman in the Winter Olympics history. She was also the first woman to win a gold medal in the same event for three consecutive Olympic games. Until 2010, she was the most decorated American athlete, male and female, in the Winter Games.
Question 51
How many records does Wilt Chamberlain hold?
-
A62
-
B68
-
C72
-
D76
72
When you look at the NBA record book, you will see Wilt Chamberlain's name an impressive 72 times. Sixty-eight of the records he holds by himself. He holds records in minutes played, complete games played, scoring, field goals, free throws, rebounds and more.
Question 52
At what age did Maria Sharapova first reach the number one world ranking for singles tennis?
-
A2010
-
B2007
-
C2005
-
D2012
2005
Maria Sharapova has been ranked number one on five separate occasions for a total span of 21 weeks so far in her career. She first reached this status in August of 2005 at 18 years old, and her most recent number one ranking was in 2012.
Question 53
How many Olympic gold medals does Usain Bolt win in his Olympic career?
-
A7
-
B6
-
C9
-
D8
8
Although Usain Bolt won the gold medal in the 100 meter, 200 meter, and 4 x 100-meter relay in three consecutive Olympic games, one of the gold medals was revoked after his teammate was disqualified due to doping nine years after the fact. Prior to the medal being revoked, Bolt made history by being the first to achieve a "Triple Triple:" three gold medals at three consecutive Olympic games.
Question 54
Which early figure skating champion won gold in three Olympics and helped increase the popularity of the sport through a later career in films?
-
AKristi Yamaguchi
-
BMichelle Kwan
-
CTara Lipinski
-
DSonja Henie
Sonja Henie
In 1924, Sonja Henie made her Olympic debut when she was only 11 years old. During her career, she won three Olympic gold medals and went on to star in many films. Her popularity in the Olympics and films helped to increase interest in figure skating.
Question 55
How many Wimbledon Championship singles titles does Pete Sampras have?
-
A3
-
B8
-
C6
-
D7
7
Pete Sampras, one of the best tennis players in history, is tied for second for having the most Wimbledon Championship titles with 7. He was tied for first with William Renshaw until Roger Federer surpassed them in 2017 with 8. He also has 14 Grand Slam titles, another record he held until Federer surpassed him with 15.
Question 56
Which American runner is the only man to win the 200 m and 400 m race in the same Olympic Games?
-
AMichael Johnson
-
BJesse Owens
-
CUsain Bolt
-
DCarl Lewis
Michael Johnson
Michael Johnson won the 200 m and 400 m races in the 1996 Olympics. This was the first time a male athlete achieved this and remains the only one to have done so. He also broke Olympic and world records during his career in which he won four Olympic gold medals and eight gold medals from the World Championships.
Question 57
Who was the first NBA player in history to have a unanimous vote for his MVP award?
-
AShaquille O'Neal
-
BTim Duncan
-
CStephen Curry
-
DMichael Jordan
Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry became the first player in history to have a unanimous nomination for MVP when he earned the award in the 2015-2016 season. So far in his career, Curry has already led the league in scoring and helped the Warriors to break records for the most wins in a season and to reach the NBA finals every year since 2015.
Question 58
Which WNBA player was the first to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season?
-
ASheryl Swoopes
-
BSue Bird
-
CLisa Leslie
-
DCandace Parker
Candace Parker
In 2008, Candace Parker won the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards, marking the first time a WNBA player won both in the same season. Parker earned another MVP award in 2013 and won the WNBA Finals MVP award in 2016.
Question 59
How many Grand Slam titles does Serena Williams have?
-
A72
-
B23
-
C39
-
D14
39
Williams has earned 39 Grand Slam titles, 23 of which were single titles and 14 of which were doubles and two of which were mixed doubles. She has 72 singles titles total.
Question 60
How many world records has Michael Phelps set?
-
A16
-
B39
-
C5
-
D27
39
During his impressive career, Michael Phelps set 39 records, the most of anyone. He won a total of 28 medals in the Olympic Summer Games, 23 of which were gold, and he has the record for the Olympic athlete with the most medals.
Question 61
Which soccer player has joined Mia Hamm as the only American woman player to both assist 20 and score 20 goals in the same calendar year?
-
AAbby Wambach
-
BCalri Lloyd
-
CTobin Heath
-
DAlex Morgan
Alex Morgan
In 2012, Alex Morgan had 21 assists and 28 goals, which puts her alongside Mia Hamm as the only two American women players to achieve more than 20 goals and assists in the same calendar year. She is also the youngest American woman to score 20 goals in a year.
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