These four athletes dominated their sports and inspired millions of fans along the way. This One Gotta Go card puts them together: Serena Williams, Simone Biles, Megan Rapinoe and Katie Ledecky. Picking one to cut is not easy, and that is the point.
Three icons stay in the record books, and one is removed. Think about the moments you watched live, the athlete who inspired someone you know and the one whose achievements you only learned about later. Then make your pick and share the moment that made you a fan.
Serena Williams vs Simone Biles vs Megan Rapinoe vs Katie Ledecky
A. Serena Williams
Serena Williams won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era, and changed tennis with her power and presence. She is a global icon. The only case for cutting her is that her biggest wins came years ago, before some younger fans were watching.
Keep it if: You think she is the greatest tennis player ever and that her impact reaches far beyond the court.
B. Simone Biles
Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history, with skills so hard they are named after her. She also spoke openly about mental health at the Tokyo Games. If gymnastics is not your sport, she might be the one you would cut.
Keep it if: You have watched her routines in awe and admire her for being honest about what athletes go through.
C. Megan Rapinoe
Megan Rapinoe helped lead the U.S. women's soccer team to World Cup wins in 2015 and 2019 and became a leading voice for equal pay. She is bold and outspoken. Some fans see her more as an advocate than a dominant athlete, which makes her a common cut.
Keep it if: You loved her World Cup goals and celebrations and respect how she used her platform.
D. Katie Ledecky
Katie Ledecky has won many Olympic gold medals and world titles in distance freestyle, often winning by huge margins. She is incredibly consistent. Swimming only gets big attention every four years, which makes her the least visible of the four for many fans.
Keep it if: You love pure dominance and think her races, where she finishes far ahead of everyone, are amazing.
Our take
This one is tough, but we would cut Katie Ledecky, only because swimming gets the spotlight mostly during the Olympics, while the other three became cultural figures that people talk about year round. The most fun debate usually comes down to Serena against Simone, since both are often called the greatest ever in their sports. Ask everyone which athlete they would want their kids to look up to. Then ask which moment from these four you would most want to see in person.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which athlete had the most impact outside of her sport?
- Who is the greatest female athlete of all time?
- Which Olympic moment is your favorite?
- Which female sports icon would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Female Sports Icons: quick answers
How many Grand Slams did Serena Williams win?
Serena Williams won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any player in the Open Era. She also won many doubles titles, often with her sister Venus, and four Olympic gold medals. She retired from professional tennis in 2022.
Why does Simone Biles have skills named after her?
In gymnastics, a new skill can be named after the first athlete to perform it successfully at a major international competition. Simone Biles has several skills named after her on different apparatus because she was the first to land them.
