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Icon named most inspirational British sports star and it's not David Beckham

Following a week of sporting triumph as Team GB break records at the Winter Olympics, a poll of 2,000 adults saw tennis star Andy Murray - the first British Wimbledon mens champion since 1936 - take the top spot

[David Beckham]

David Beckham was beaten to top spot(Image: Getty Images)

Andy Murray has been named the most inspirational British sports star of the 21st century, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and David Beckham.

Following a week of sporting triumph as Team GB break records at the Winter Olympics, a poll of 2,000 adults saw tennis star Murray - the first British Wimbledon mens champion since 1936 - take the top spot.

He was followed by Chris Hoy and Mo Farah, with F1 star Lewis Hamilton and footballer David Beckham rounding the top five.

Jessica Ennis-Hill, Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane were also ranked highly for their standout achievements this century, while darts sensation Luke Littler was singled out for the remarkable impact he has had on the sport in recent years.

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Andy Murray topped the list(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

It also emerged setting a good example, humility and a positive attitude were identified as the key qualities that make a sports star inspirational, according to the research commissioned by JustGiving.

Others pointed to exceptional sporting achievements and charity work, which ranked higher than the amount of goals scored.

In fact, athletes who champion good causes have inspired 30% of Brits to take part in a sporting charity fundraiser themselves.

Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of the charitable fundraising platform, which saw 235 million raised through sporting and fitness events in 2025, a 6% year-on-year increase, said: Sports stars have a unique ability to inspire people in all sorts of ways.

[BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - FEBRUARY 11: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari answers questions in the paddock during day one of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 11, 2026 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images)]

Lewis Hamilton also made the top five(Image: Kym Illman, Getty Images)

Whether thats through moments of brilliance on the biggest stages or the values they demonstrate away from competition.

Their achievements can motivate fans to push their own limits, try something new or simply believe that big goals are possible.

Whats especially powerful is when that inspiration turns into action beyond sport itself.

One of the most positive impacts weve seen these incredible British athletes have is encouraging more people to get involved in fundraising and support causes that matter to them, with almost a third of Brits being inspired into action by their charitable work.

The research revealed that the Lionesses, Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics and Leicester Citys Premier League win were voted the most inspiring team achievements of the era.

While 41% of those polled said watching sporting greatness has inspired them to become more active, 84% added that simply watching sport has made them want to give it a go.

A third were motivated by the personal challenge and 19% wanted to develop their own skills after watching a memorable sporting moment.

But as a big year of sport is already underway, the World Cup, Wimbledon and the Winter Olympics were named as the events fans are most excited about in 2026.

These are followed by the Six Nations, the British Grand Prix and the Commonwealth Games, according to the OnePoll survey.

TOP 20 MOST INSPIRATIONAL BRITISH SPORTS STARS OF THE 21ST CENTURY

1. Andy Murray

2. Chris Hoy

3. Mo Farah

4. Lewis Hamilton

5. David Beckham

6. Jessica Ennis-Hill

7. Marcus Rashford

8. Harry Kane

9. Tom Daley

10. Luke Littler

11. Kelly Holmes

12. Ellie Simmonds

13. Tanni Grey-Thompson

14. Freddie Flintoff

15. Tyson Fury

16. Jonny Wilkinson

17. Anthony Joshua

18. Ronnie OSullivan

19. Paula Radcliffe

20. Rory McIlroy

TOP 10 MOST INSPIRATIONAL CLUB SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

1. England Women (the Lionesses) winning the UEFA Womens Euro 2022

2. Team GBs record medal haul at the London 2012 Olympic Games

3. Leicester City winning the Premier League in 2016

4. England Women reaching the Womens World Cup final in 2023

5. England winning the Rugby World Cup in 2003

6. Great Britain topping the medal table at the London 2012 Paralympic Games

7. England reaching the final of the UEFA Mens Euro 2020 and 2024

8. Arsenal going an entire Premier League season unbeaten (2003-04)

9. England Men winning the Cricket World Cup in 2019

10. Manchester United winning the UEFA Champions League (2008)

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