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Use the menu below to read our biographies of the century's greatest sportswomen and then tell us who you think should be No. 1. Also, be sure to check out our expanded home page and our new issue which is on newsstands now.

36. Larissa Latynina, Gymnastics

1935-
Winner of 18 Olympic medals

Latynina broke through in Melbourne. AP
Larissa Latynina attributes her success in gymnastics to relentless hard work and dance lessons. At age 11, the Ukrainian native took up ballet and also participated in "artistic gymnastics" as part of her school's physical education program. At 16, she became the Russian gymnastics champion in the school girl's division. At her first international competition -- the 1954 world championships in Rome -- Latynina finished in 14th place. But two years later, she would experience a breakthrough. At the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, the 5' 4" Latynina won the all-around title and three other gold medals, plus a silver and a bronze. Four years later in Rome, competing while three months pregnant with her daughter, Tania, Latynina added three golds, two silvers and a bronze to her Olympic medal count. Between 1956 and '64, Latynina, known as Laura to her fans, won more medals than any athlete in Olympic history: nine gold, five silver and four bronze.

They Said It: "I repeat my old routine hundreds, sometimes thousands of times until I get it right. Monotonous? Not at all. I've been practicing gymnastics for 16 years. I train five times a week in three-hour sessions, and I've never found it boring." -- Latynina

-- Joan Truscio

Athletes were selected by Sports Illustrated For Women, Sports Illustrated and CNN/SI editors, writers and correspondents who considered the athletes' on-field performance and achievements, plus their contributions to women's sports. Because athletic achievement was a key criterion, women whose contributions were made solely in administration and coaching are not included.