Superb: King James soared to new heights, Bolt blitzed in London and Chinese rising prodigy Sun shone in the pool

Usain Bolt

His dominance would almost be dull if he wasn't so exciting. A year ago, it certainly wouldn't have taken a psychic to predict Bolt would be on this list. The fastest human being the world's ever known swept his way through the Olympic sprints again, winning the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.