There are ‘Rising’ different opinions in the sports community on ESPN’s most recent ranking of the best 100 athletes of the twenty-first century. Much of the debate has been directed against the list, which is intended to honor the top athletic individuals since 2000. Supporters are taking issue with the choices and arrangements, sparking a contentious conversation on social media.

Prominent individuals, such as Usain Bolt, Simone Biles, and Michael Phelps, are included among a much more gleaming roster of candidates, but their placement has drawn attention. While all the individuals featured on the list have made some kind of dent in the professional world, favoritism still isn’t in vogue, it seems like. The deluge of comments reveals how arbitrary these lists can be, showcasing diverging perspectives on what makes an athlete truly outstanding.

Ranking#1 on the list is Michael Phelps with 23 gold medals. Swimming standards are still set by Phelps’ incredible 8x gold medal record at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Nevertheless, some admirers think his accomplishments merit more recognition than just being a list topper. ESPN’s tweet revealing the rankings ignited the flames. Following this hierarchical debacle, users questioned the spots on X. This is what the tweet said:

However, the fastest man alive took #9 place, which really begets the question as to what markers and metrics go into the ranking schemes employed here. Bolt is a great athlete known for his 8x Olympic gold medals and his 2009 world record of 9.58 seconds in the 100 meters. Critics argue that Bolt’s efforts in track and field deserve an elevated ranking as compared to Phelps and the like.

On the flip side, #7 slot finisher Simone Biles’ standing has also come under fire and under question. She has 7x Olympic medals, 4x of which are gold. The 27-year-old’s power in gymnastics in the present day is unstoppable. Her fans feel that her accomplishments and influence call for a higher rating as well as opposed to a measly 7. Also, in the past, the GOAT of gymnastics had something very crazy.

Fans’ divisive views on Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt and others

The list, which controversially placed specific athletes in the middle, has sparked a wave of replies that stress how subjective these kinds of rankings are. One prominent response focused on gymnast Simone Biles’ placing, saying, “Biles should be over Serena imo.” It highlights how highly regarded Biles is, implying that some may think her gymnastics accomplishments are greater than those of tennis great Serena Williams. But there was also doubt expressed about Tiger Woods’ position behind Biles: “Tiger Woods at 8 behind Simone Biles. c’mon man be serious.”

In a similar vein, others expressed shock when Usain Bolt was positioned at number nine: “Usain Bolt at 9☠️☠️☠️” and “Seriously. Bolt only 9th. This is why America will re-elect Trump.” The clarification, however exaggerated, expresses annoyance at what appears to be a lack of appreciation for Bolt’s supremacy in sprinting. Simone Biles participated in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at just the age of 19. Biles responded sharply when compared to male athletes such as Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps. Biles made headlines in 2016 when she declared, “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I’m the first Simone Biles.”

Opinions on the top spot were likewise divided in the discussions. “Phelps #1 or Jordan?” a fan debated between Michael Phelps and Michael Jordan. This highlights the disagreement between Jordan’s illustrious basketball career and Phelps’ unmatched Olympic swimming accomplishment. Another cause of controversy was Katie Ledecky’s exclusion from the top 10: “Ledecky not being top 10 is patently absurd get Kobe outta there.” This fan feels that Ledecky, who positioned at 15, should have placed higher because of her swimming achievements, even if it means losing out to basketball great Kobe Bryant. Thus, as the discussion progresses, it becomes clear how difficult it is to assess and contrast athletes’ accomplishments across different sports and how important it is to continue to give them a grade for what they have contributed.