No 5  -  Steve Redgrave

Five consecutive Olympic Gold Medals  -  1984 – 2000

This amazing achievement all started at the Los Angeles games in 1984, Redgrave won the gold in the Coxed Four along with Martin Cross, Adrian Ellison, Andy Holmes and Richard Budgett. He then joined with Holmes to win the coxless pairs in Seoul in 1988.

His first triumph with Matthew Pinsent was in the same event at Barcelona in 1992, the pair repeated this four years later in Atlanta.

James Cracknell and Tim Foster joines Pinsent and Redgrave for the coxless fours in Sydney 2000, where the team again won gold, a feat which saw Redgrave make history with his fifth Olympic gold medal.

No 4  -  Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt was already the 100m world record holder going into the 2008 Beijing games, and he was the favourite to win both events. His sensational 9.69 in the 100m was made more special by the fact that he visibly slowed down to celebrate before the finish line.

Michael Johnson’s world record of 19.32 was considered safe when it came to the 200m but Bolt also bettered this record when he won gold with a time of  19.30. This made Bolt the only sprinter to ever break both records at the same Olympics.

No 3  -  Emil Zatopek

Zatopek is a true legend of long distance running and is widely considered to be one of the greatest runners of the 20th century. At the 1952 games the Helsinki Olympic stadium witnessed some extraordinary running.

Zatopek won Gold medals in the 5000 metres and 10000 metres and completed a unique triple by winning the gold medal in the marathon as well. The feat was made all the more special due to the fact that he only decided to run the marathon at the last minute and it was the first time he had competed in a marathon.

Nadia Comaneci was only 14-years old when she became a global star at Montreal in 1976. The Romanian’s routine on the uneven bars was scored at a perfect 10.0 which was the first time in modern Olympic gymnastics history that the score had ever been awarded.

Famously the scoreboards showed a score of 1.00 as they were not designed to display a score of  10.0. This showed that the Olympic organisers considered a perfect 10 to be unachievable. By the end of the games the tiny Romanian had done it 7 times.

Her performances earned her 3 Gold Medals, 1 Silver and a Bronze.

No 1  -  Michael Phelps 

Phelps had the target of eight Gold medals in 2008, he was widely expected to win several Golds but to manage all eight was considered to be too far a target even for him.

He managed the first six with a world record in each event. The seventh was extremely close and controversial He was awarded the gold when he was adjudged to have won by 1/1000 of a second. The time-keepers later said that Milorad Cavic reached the wall before Phelps but did not touch with sufficient pressure to register on the sensor.

Phelps secured his historic 8th gold medal in the 4 x 100m medley relay, again in world record time.

No 5  -  Mesut Ozil (GER)

Domestic Club  -  Real Madrid

• Date of Birth  -  15 October 1988 (age 23)
• International Debut  -  11 February 2009
• Appearances for Germany  -  33
• Goals  -  8

After his excellent performances in the 2010 World Cup where he was nominated for the Golden Ball award,  he quickly became one of Europe’s hottest properties. He is a very skillful attacking midfielder with excellent pace and creativity, as England found out to their dismay in the 2010 World Cup.

No 4  -  Xavi Hernandez (SPA)

Domestic Club  -  Barcelona

• Date of Birth  -  25 January 1980 (age 32)
• International Debut  – November 15  2000
• Appearances  for Spain  -  108
• Goals  -  10

Xavi is widely considered to be one of the best midfielders of his generation. His exceptional passing ability and technique allows him to dictate the flow of play and it’s almost unheard of for him to lose possession of the ball. Xavi was the player of the tournament at Euro 2008.

No 3  -  Robin Van Persie (NED)

Domestic Club  -  Arsenal

• Date of Birth  -  6 August 1983 (age 28)
• International Debut  -  4 June 2005
• Appearances  for Holland  -  66
• Goals  -  28

After helping Holland to the World Cup final in 2010, Van Persie had an amazing season for Arsenal with consistent goal scoring and excellent all round performances. His ability has never been in doubt but it’s not until the last couple of years that he has been widely considered as one of the best strikers in World football. He has scored 25 times for Holland and we expect a few more will be added to that tally in this tournament.

No 2  -  Andres Iniesta (SPA)

Domestic Club  -  Barcelona

• Date of Birth -  11 May 1984 (age 28)
• International debut  -  27 May 2006
• Appearances for Spain  -  65
• Goals  -  11

For the past few years Iniesta has been one of the best, if not the best, midfielder in the World. His performances for Barcelona have been quite brilliant and he is always at the heart of what many people consider the best midfield in history. In international competitions his performances have also been excellent and he has helped Spain become the reigning European and World Champions, including scoring the winning goal in the world cup final in 2010.

No 1  -  Christiano Ronaldo (POR)

Domestic Club  -  Real Madrid

• Date of Birth  -  5 February 1985 (age 27)
• International Debut  -  20 August 2003
• Appearances for Portugal  -  89
• Goals  -  32

All eyes will be Ronaldo this tournament after the last two amazing seasons for Real Madrid in which he scored 53 goals in 2010/11 and 60 goals in 2011/12. But he has some of the best players in the world surrounding him at Real, it’s not quite the same for the national side. It may take a ‘Platini in 84′ type of performance for Portugal to win the tournament, but if anyone can do it surely it’s him.

No 5  -  Billy Jean King (USA) 4 titles

1968  -  Opponent in Final – Judy Tegart Dalton
-  Score in Final – 9-7, 7-5
1972  -  Opponent in Final – Evonne Goolagong Cawley
-  Score in Final – 6–3, 6-3
1973  -  Opponent in Final – Chris Evert
-  Score in Final – 6–0, 7–5
1975  -  Opponent in Final – Evonne Goolagong Cawley
-  Score in Final – 6-0, 6-1

No 4  -  Serena Williams (USA) 4 titles

2002  -  Opponent in Final – Venus Williams
-  Score in Final – 7–6(7–4), 6–3
2003  -  Opponent in Final – Venus Williams
-  Score in Final – 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
2009  -  Opponent in Final – Venus Williams
-  Score in Final – 7–6(7–3), 6–2
2010  -  Opponent in Final – Vera Zvonareva
-  Score in Final – 6–3, 6–2

No 3  -  Venus Williams (USA) 5 titles

2000  -  Opponent in Final – Lindsay Davenport
-  Score in Final – 6–3, 7–6(7–3)
2001  -  Opponent in Final – Justine Henin
-  Score in Final – 6–2, 3–6, 6–0
2005  -  Opponent in Final – Lindsay Davenport
-  Score in Final – 4–6, 7–6(7–4), 9–7
2007  -  Opponent in Final – Marion Bartoli
-  Score in Final – 6–4, 6–1
2008  -  Opponent in Final – Serena Williams
-  Score in Final – 7–5, 6–4

No 2  -  Steffi Graf (GER) 7 titles

1988  -  Opponent in Final – Martina Navratilova
-  Score in Final – 5–7, 6–2, 6–1
1989  -  Opponent in Final – Martina Navratilova
-  Score in Final – 6–2, 6–7(1–7), 6–1
1991  -  Opponent in Final – Gabriela Sabatini
-  Score in Final – 6–4, 3–6, 8–6
1992  -  Opponent in Final – Monica Seles
-  Score in Final – 6–2, 6–1
1993  -  Opponent in Final – Jana Novotna
-  Score in Final – 7–6(8–6), 1–6, 6–4
1995  -  Opponent in Final – Arantxa Sanchez Vicario
-  Score in Final – 4–6, 6–1, 7–5
1996  -  Opponent in Final – Arantxa Sanchez Vicario
-  Score in Final – 6–3, 7–5

No 1  -  Martina Navratilova (USA) 9 titles

1978  -  Opponent in Final – Chris Evert
-  Score in Final – 2–6, 6–4, 7–5
1979  -  Opponent in Final – Chris Evert
-  Score in Final – 6–4, 6–4
1982  -  Opponent in Final – Chris Evert
-  Score in Final – 6–1, 3–6, 6–2
1983  -  Opponent in Final – Andrea Jaeger
-  Score in Final – 6–0, 6–3
1984  -  Opponent in Final – Chris Evert
-  Score in Final – 7–6(7–5), 6–2
1985  -  Opponent in Final – Chris Evert
-  Score in Final – 4–6, 6–3, 6–2
1986  -  Opponent in Final – Hana Mandlikova
-  Score in Final – 7–6(7–1), 6–3
1987  -  Opponent in Final – Steffi Graf
-  Score in Final – 7–5, 6–3
1990  -  Opponent in Final – Zina Garrison
-  Score in Final – 6–4, 6–1

No 5  -  Boris Becker (DEU) 3 titles

1985  -  Opponent in Final – Kevin Curren
-  Score in Final:  6–3, 6–7(4–7), 7–6(7–3), 6–4

1986  -  Opponent in Final – Ivan Lendl
-  Score in Final:  6–4, 6–3, 7–5

1989  -  Opponent in Final – Stefan Edberg
-  Score in Final:  6–0, 7–6(7–1), 6–4

No 4  -  John McEnroe (USA) 3 titles

1981  -  Opponent in Final – Bjorn Borg
-  Score in Final: 4–6, 7–6(7–1), 7–6(7–4), 6–4

1983  -  Opponent in Final – Chris Lewis
-  Score in Final:  6–2, 6–2, 6–2

1984  -  Opponent in Final – Jimmy Connors
-  Score in Final:  6–1, 6–1, 6–2

No 3  -  Bjorn Borg (SWE) 5 titles

1976  -  Opponent in Final – Ilie Nastase
-  Score in Final: 6–4, 6–2, 9–7

1977  -  Opponent in Final – Jimmy Connors
-  Score in Final:  3–6, 6–2, 6–1, 5–7, 6–4

1978  -  Opponent in Final – Jimmy Connors
-  Score in Final:  6–2, 6–2, 6–3

1979  -  Opponent in Final – Roscoe Tanner
-  Score in Final: 6–7(4–7), 6–1, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4

1980  -  Opponent in Final – John McEnroe
-  Score in Final:  1–6, 7–5, 6–3, 6–7(16–18), 8–6

No 2  -  Roger Federer (SUI) 6 titles

2003  -  Opponent in Final – Mark Philippoussis
-  Score in Final:  7–6(7–5), 6–2, 7–6(7–3)

2004  -  Opponent in Final – Andy Roddick
-  Score in Final:  4–6, 7–5, 7–6(7–3), 6–4

2005  -  Opponent in Final – Andy Roddick
-  Score in Final:  6–2, 7–6(7–2), 6–4

2006  -  Opponent in Final – Rafael Nadal
-  Score in Final:  6–0, 7–6(7–5), 6–7(2–7), 6–3

2007  -  Opponent in Final – Rafael Nadal
-  Score in Final:  7–6(9–7), 4–6, 7–6(7–3), 2–6, 6–2

2009  -  Opponent in Final – Andy Roddick
-  Score in Final:  5–7, 7–6(8–6),7–6(7–5),3–6,16–14

No 1  -  Pete Sampras (USA) 7 titles

1993  -  Opponent in Final – Jim Courier
-  Score in Final:  7–6(7–3), 7–6(8–6), 3–6, 6–3

1994  -  Opponent in Final – Goran Ivanisevic
-  Score in Final:  7–6(7–2), 7–6(7–5), 6–0

1995  -  Opponent in Final – Boris Becker
-  Score in Final:  6–7(5–7), 6–2, 6–4, 6–2

1997  -  Opponent in Final – Cedric Pioline
-  Score in Final:  6–4, 6–2, 6–4

1998  -  Opponent in Final – Goran Ivanisevic
-  Score in Final:  6–7(2–7), 7–6(11–9), 6–4, 3–6, 6–2

1999  -  Opponent in Final – Andre Agassi
-  Score in Final:  6–3, 6–4, 7–5

2000  -  Opponent in Final – Andy Roddick
-  Score in Final:  6–7(10–12), 7–6(7–5), 6–4, 6–2

No 5  -  Jack Beresford

Sport :  Rowing

Olympic Years :  1920 – 1936
Olympic Medals :  3 x Gold, 2 x Silver

1920 Antwerp – Silver (Single Sculls)
1924 Paris – Gold (Single Sculls)
1928 Amsterdam – Silver (Eights)
1932 Los Angeles – Gold (Coxless Fours)
1936 Berlin – Gold (Double Sculls)

No  4  -  Paulo Radmilovic

Sport :  Swimming and Water Polo

Olympic Years :  1908 – 1920
Olympic Medals :  4 x Gold

1908 London – Gold (Men’s Water Polo)
1908 London – Gold (Swimming – 4 x 200M Freestyle)
1912 Stockholm – Gold (Men’s Water Polo)
1920 Antwerp – Gold (Men’s Water Polo)

No  3  -  Matthew Pinsent

Sport :  Rowing

Olympic Years :  1992 – 2004
Olympic Medals :  4 x Gold

1992 Barcelona – Gold (Coxless Pair)
1996 Atlanta – Gold (Coxless Pair)
2000 Sydney – Gold (Coxless Four)
2004 Athens – Gold (Coxless Four)

No  2  -  Chris Hoy

Sport :  Cycling

Olympic Years :  2000 – 2008
Olympic Medals : 4 x Gold, 1 x Silver

2000 Sydney – Silver (Team Sprint)
2004 Athens – Gold (1km Time Trial)
2008 Beijing – Gold (Team Sprint)
2008 Beijing – Gold (Keirin)
2008 Beijing – Gold (Sprint)

No  1  -  Steve Redgrave

Sport :  Rowing

Olympic Years :  1984 – 2000
Olympic Medals :  5 x Gold, 1 x Bronze

1984 Los Angeles – Gold (Coxed Four)
1988 Seoul – Gold (Coxless Pair)
1988 Seoul – Bronze (Coxed Pair)
1992 Barcelona – Gold (Coxless Pair)
1996 Atlanta – Gold (Coxless Pair)
2000 Sydney – Gold (Coxless Four)

No. 5  -  Ruud Van Nistelrooy (Netherlands)

Goals  6:

2004  v  Germany – Group Stage

v  Czech Republic – Group Stage

v  Latvia (2) – Group Stage

2008  v  Italy – Group Stage

v  Russia – Quarter Final

No. 4  -  Patrick Kluivert (Netherlands)

Goals -  6 :

1996 v England – Group Stage

2000 v Denmark – Group Stage

v France – Group Stage

v Yugoslavia (3) – Quarter Final

No. 3  -  Thierry Henry  (France)

Goals  -  6 :

2000  v  Denmark – Group Stage

v  Czech Republic – Group Stage

v  Portugal – Semi Final

2004   v  Switzerland (2) – Group Stage

2008  v  Netherlands

No.  2  -  Alan Shearer (England)

Goals  -  7 :

1996  v  Switzerland – Group Stage

v  Scotland – Group Stage

v  Netherlands (2) – Group Stage

v  Germany – Semi Final

2000  v  Germany – Group Stage

v  Romania – Group Stage

No.  1  -  Michel Platini (France)

Goals  -  9 :

1984  v  Denmark – Group Stage

v  Belgium (3) – Group Stage

v  Yugoslavia (3) – Group Stage

v  Portugal – Semi Final

v  Spain – Final

No. 5  -  Carl Lewis

• Country  :  United States
• Gold Medals :  9
• Sport :  Athletics
• Years :  1984–1996
• Notes :  In the 1984 Olympics Lewis matched Jesse Owens’ feat of winning four gold medals at a single Olympic Games.

No. 4  -  Mark Spitz

• Country :  United States
• Gold Medals :  9
• Sport :  Swimming
• Years :  1968–1972
• Notes :  Spitz’s record of seven gold medals in a single Olympics was not surpassed until Michael Phelps at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

No. 3  -  Paavo Nurmi

• Country  :  Finland
• Gold Medals :  9
• Sport :  Athletics
• Years :  1920–1928
• Notes :  Nurmi won five gold medals at the 1924 Summer Olympics held in Paris, becoming the most successful athlete in a single Olympic event in history.

No. 2  -  Larisa Latynina

• Country  :  Soviet Union
• Gold Medals :  9
• Sport :  Gymnastics
• Years :  1956–1964
• Notes :  Latynina has won a total of 18 medals, which is more Olympic medals than any other competitor in any sport.

No. 1  -  Michael Phelps

• Country :  United States
• Gold Medals :  14
• Sport :  Swimming
• Years :  2004 – 2008
• Notes :  Phelps holds the record for the most gold medals won in a single Olympics; his eight golds at Beijing in 2008 surpassed Mark Spitz’s seven gold medals at Munich in 1972.

No 5.  -  Maurice Greene

• Country :  USA
• Fastest Time :  9.79 seconds
• Wind :  +0.1 m/s
• Date : 16 June 1999
• Location :  Athens
• Notes : Lowered the world record by the largest margin – previous record (9.84 seconds)

No. 4  -  Nesta Carter

• Country :  Jamaica
• Fastest Time :  9.78 seconds
• Wind :  +0.9 m/s
• Date : 29 August 2010
• Location :  Rieti
• Notes :  Carter has won Olympic and World Championship gold in 4 x 100m relays with Jamaica.

No. 3  -  Asafa Powell

• Country :  Jamaica
• Fastest Time :  9.72 seconds
• Wind :  +0.2 m/s
• Date : 2 September 2008
• Location :  Lausanne
• Notes :  Powell held the 100m record for 3 years between Jun 2005 and May 2008.

No. 2  -  Tyson Gay

• Country :  USA
• Fastest Time :  9.69 seconds
• Wind :  +2.0 m/s
• Date : 20 September 2009
• Location :  Shanghai
• Notes :  Gay is the only sprinter to have defeated Usain Bolt in a final since Bolt made his first world record run.

No. 1  -  Usain Bolt

• Country :  Jamaica
• Fastest Time :  9.58 seconds
• Wind :  +0.9 m/s
• Date : 16 August 2009
• Location :  Berlin
• Notes :  After his spectacular performances at the 2008 Olympic games and the 2009 World Championships he became the only man to ever hold both the 100 and 200 m World and Olympic titles at the same time.

5. Wingardium Leviosa

Otherwise known as the Hover Charm is used to make objects levitate.  This is taught to Hogwarts students in their first year.  It was first used by Hermione in Charms class to make a feather float. Harry used it to make two cakes, which had been spiked with a sleeping potion, float in The Chamber of Secrets so Ron and he could take some of Crabbe and Goyle’s hairs to add to the Polly Juice Potion, so they could take their form and question Malfoy reference the heir to slytheryn.

4. Alohomora

Is the charm used to unlock mechanical locks that have not been protected by magic.  It can also be used to open doors which have been locked using the Colloportus Spell.  Some unknown spells are impervious to the use of this charm.  Hermione used it to open the door on the 3rd floor at Hogwarts.  Worst of all Voldemort used it to gain access to the Potter’s house where he killed James and Lily Potter.

3. Accio

The Summoning Charm enables the caster to cause an object that is a distance away fly into his or her arms.  The caster needs to know the general whereabouts of the object in order to summon it.  However Hermione stated that as long as the caster had the object clearly in their mind they should be able to summon it with ease.  Harry used it to summon the Triwizard Cup, which had been turned into a Portkey in order to escape Lord Voldemort in the graveyard and take Cedric’s body back to his father.

2. Expelliarmus

This charm is used to disarm an opponent, causing whatever they are holding to fly out of their hand eg a wand.  It can sometimes manifest as a jet of red light when aimed at an opponents chest causing them to fly backwards as well as disarming them.  Harry used it against Lord Voldemort at the graveyard which resulted in the Priori Incantatum.  Harry used it against Snape at the Shrieking Shack and ended up knocking him out.

1. Expecto Patronum

This charm evokes a positive energy force which acts like a sheild protecting the caster.  It is commonly used against unbeatable dark creatures such as Dementors and is classed as very advanced magic.  In order to successfully cast a patronus the caster must think of a very powerful, happy memory, allow it to fill them up and lose themselves in it.  Harry was only 13 when he produced his first Patronus, taught to him by Remus Lupin.  He also cast a corporeal patronus also known as a spirit guardian in the form of a stag to save Sirius from the Dementors at the lake.

5. Full Body Bind Curse.

This was cast on Neville Longbottom when he tried to stop Harry, Ron and Hermione leaving the dormitories on their way to stop the theft of the Philosophers Stone.  The incantation is “Petrificus Totalus” which has the effect of rendering the victim completely immobile, it is normally used in defensive combat.  Once the spell is cast the victim’s arms and legs will snap together and they will fall down through lack of balance.  It does not however interfere with the victim’s sight or breathing.

4. Sectumsempra.

This is a Dark Arts curse and was invented by Severus Snape during his time as a pupil at Hogwarts using the alias “The Half Blood Prince”. The curse has the effect of an invisible sword, slashing at it’s target repeatedly. The wounds can be cured by using the spell Vulnera Sanentur but can take upto three castings depending on the severity of the wounds.  Medical treatment will still be required and if Dittany is applied right away, then scarring can be avoided.

3. Imperius [Unforgivable Curse]

Incantation “Imperio”.  When it is successfully cast this curse puts the victim completely under the caster’s control, although it can be resisted if a victim has an exceptional strength of will.  It is the only unforgivable curse with a known reliable method of resistance which makes it unique. When cast adequately vitims feel the sensation of  being in a calm , trance-like state.  If poorly cast the victim’s  mind would be addled.

2. Cruciatus [Unforgivable Curse]

Incantation “Crucio”. This curse, otherwise known as the Torture Curse inflicts excruciating pain on it’s victim’s.  It is very popular among Death Eaters who use it on their fellow wizards and muggles.  As it doesn’t physically harm it’s victim’s, it is quite possible that it only stimulates a person’s pain receptors. The two most well known victim’s were Alice and Frank Longbottom who were tortured into insanity by Bellatrix, Rodolphus, Rabastan Lestrange and Barty Crouch Junior.

1. Avada Kedavra [Unforgivable Curse]

Also known as the “Killing Curse” it causes instantaneous, painless death. Sacrificial protection, which uses the magic of love is the only counter spell known. It cannot be intercepted by another spell, except where the caster’s and his or her opponents wands and spells become locked together, this is known as Priori Incantatem. Only two people have survived this curse Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort.