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Your GOAT List
What happens when a snowboarding virtuoso clashes with a decathlon titan? It's Shaun White, with his gravity-defying halfpipe stunts, versus Jim Thorpe, the man who conquered multiple sports with little more than raw talent and dogged determination. This isn't just about who lands higher on the Greatest American Olympians of All Time list; it's a cultural showdown between modern extreme sports flair and early 20th-century athletic stoicism. Do we honor the spectacular, boundary-pushing feats of recent heroes, or the foundational legends whose versatility defined the spirit of the Olympics? Your choice tells a story of what truly makes an Olympian great.
In this battle:
Fans currently prefer Jim Thorpe over Shaun White when it comes to the greatest American Olympians of all time. In head-to-head matchups, fans pick Jim Thorpe 76.9% of the time over Shaun White.
Across all battles:
Jim Thorpe win rate: 59.8%
Shaun White win rate: 27.6%
The debate heats up because it's a classic clash of eras and sports—Thorpe's early 20th-century multi-sport dominance versus White's modern snowboarding virtuosity. Fans are torn, celebrating both the historic foundations Thorpe set and the revolutionary impact White has on winter sports.
Shaun White, known as 'The Flying Tomato', captures fans' hearts with his charismatic personality and breathtaking performances in snowboarding. His X-Games flair and Olympic golds make him a favorite, especially among younger fans and snow sports enthusiasts.
Jim Thorpe's commanding lead is mainly due to his legendary status in multiple sports and the historic nature of his Olympic victories, which resonates deeply with fans. His versatility and historic impact often give him the edge in fan votes.