My short list of 10:
Bradley Wiggins
Andy Murray
Katherine Grainger
Ben Ainslie
Jessica Ennis
Mo Farah
Ellie Simmonds
David Weir
Frank Lampard
Sir Chris Hoy
I have never subscribed to the idea that there are few modern footballers worthy of our admiration off the pitch as well as on it.
The suggestions that the feats of our Olympians and Paralympians somehow emphasised the fact that all Premier League footballers are charlatans were laughable.
And if we are talking about the greatest sporting achievements of the year, then Frank Lampard deserves a mention.
Exiled by Andre Villas-Boas, it appeared his Chelsea career was nearing an end.
It was revived in March by the appointment of Roberto di Matteo and Lampard played a crucial role in pushing Chelsea into the final of the Champions League.
He captained them in that final in Munich and led his team to an unlikely, stirring victory over Bayern Munich.
When most thought he would never win the greatest prize in club football, he proved them wrong.
It might have been a special year, but Lampard’s achievement demands to be remembered prominently.