Off The Reservation

Lebron is only going to win 1 Gold. I vote for Phelps or Ryan Lochte, even though he is a Gator.

I understood the question, my answer remains the same. OVERALL. I say Phelps wins more events than Lebron - who might be my second choice by the way. Lebron can win many strength events, but not those that require speed and deftness, imo.

This is a fool's mate and can never be tested. We each have our different opinion, and just disagree. Let's leave it at that.

OK. Lebron is a heck of an athlete. As far as an all around athlete, I concede he has some merit, but speed and stamina would probably do him in. Strength, and obviously jumping and of course roundball, he's the bomb.

I'd have to go LBJ as well - He is probably the most athletic individual on the planet you gotta think he'd win a ton of events

The answer is Ashton Eaton; considering he just broke the world record for the decathlon .

Technically, yes, but under the OP's rules then the decathlete would be the one who could successfully compete in the most events. He could/would just compete in all the individual events that the decathlon entails.

I mean, this is a very tough question to answer because there are many different disciplines in the olympics. Nobody ever cross-trains in swimming and T&F. I think it's important to differentiate between totally different sport likes diving, swimming, and T&F. Under the OP's rules LeBron James would have to compete in swimming events, which imo wouldn't go so well. I think the best answer would be Phelps or Eaton.

Hahaha, I knew someone would make that connection. Obviously not my intention, but we're not just taking about taking some laps around the pool. Swimming is every bit as technical as T&F. I think LeBron would fail just as hard in the pool as Phelps would on the track.

The decathlete is one I had thought of, just didn't know of any specific decathletes. He's gotta be a contender.

I can hear it now...
Lebron James " I am not going to win 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7..." and I would be forced to love him because he represents the USA.

Realistic: already mentioned, current top decathlete

For fun: Sanders in his prime. All world athlete in track, football and baseball