I'd be less surprised at British former football players being famous, are those names those of famous track and field stars? There likely are an awful lot of 'famous' Canadians unheard of outside Canada, but former Canadian Olympic bronze medalists are unknown, even in Canada. They were on television for a week once then they were forgotten. We remember some of those who won gold, but unless they're notorious for something else, or do ads on television they're just not there either.

I think you are being a bit too North American with that "if they didn't come first they're a loser" attitude.

Seriously, I thought Canadians were less like their southern neighbours in that respect. Hartley won Commonwealth Golds and European Silvers. As with many other athletes competing at the top level, ordinary people have watched and enjoyed their contests over several years.

They might not be in everyone's minds but they're not forgotten. The fact that the BBC reported her death should tell you people remember her even though it's over 30 years since she was at the Moscow Olympics.

I'm sure other Canadians are not so dismissive of people they have cheered on over a large chunk of their lives. Unless those people repeatedly came in last.

Is it just Athletics where you have to be a winner to be remembered? Sport in general?

What about acting? You enjoy watching an actor in several movies but if they don't get an Oscar you don't remember them after a week?

Susan Nattrass has bags of medals but unless you were a trap shooter chances you know her name are slim. I agree it's a shame that the American cult of celebrity overshadows our media, but with a touch of resolve it needn't be subscribed to.

I wiki'd. It sounds like she's just the sort of person that Canadians might have gathered around the TV for to cheer on. Probably a household name whose death might be announced on CBC and would thus qualify on a celebrity croakers thread on Canadian Expats.

Doubtful, as I said, unless you were a trap shooter her olympic career is largely forgotten, and once that happens there's no celebrity.

There's quite a difference though.

GB has had its successful shooters. I recall different Olympics where hopes for gold have been on some kind of shooter - pistol, rifle, crossbow, whatever. Or Judo.

And for a week, everyone knows their name. Then it's gone.

But those sports are only covered because of that person being in with a shout.

It's a bit different for athletics with wall to wall Olympic coverage, plus the Europeans, the worlds, the European and World teams, Commonwealth, and a dozen major meetings all on TV.

You get used to seeing them week after week, year after year and they remain in your head - especially after appearances on the approaching 50 year old A Question of Sport

There's no doubt they become very well known and in many cases far more known than some of those for whom nobody would quibble with their inclusion on a list.

You guys are hilarious!

Who had Nelson Mandela. .... Gone

Ooh maybe not ... http://www.dw.de/0/a-15796097

eep, thought i'd gotten on the scoreboard there!

If you have him, sadly it's just a matter of time. He was a world changer in the same vein as Gandhi.

Not much of a game changer though, Ghandi was way better in that regard.

and a much better movie than that rugby thing.

Both spent time in South Africa. No idea what that signifies though, just pointing out the connection.