It really depends on if you like mens or womens in the Olymics, a certain type of competiton, and your personal likes.
Tiger Woods is the most popular athlete in 2008.
Michael Phelps.
you
Paul Tergat
Micheal Phelps
Prince Hubertus von Hohenlohe
Usain Bolt
Michael Phelps the SWIMMER
Larissa Latynina (18)
Mary Lou Retton
the most popular athlete in Georgia tech history is definatly Calvin Johnson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, Yao Ming is currently the most popular athlete in china and Yi Jianlian is after him.