| Athlete |
Nation(s) |
Sport(s) |
Role(s) |
Era |
Notes |
| Arthur Ashe |
 USA |
|
Other |
1993 |
Awarded by President Bill Clinton in 1993. |
| Pierre, Comte Baruzy |
 FRA |
SAV |
Non-Medal |
1924 |
Awarded by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. |
| Simone Biles |
USA |
GAR |
Olympics / Closing Flagbearer |
2016—2024 |
Awarded by President Joseph Biden in 2022. |
| Cassius Clay |
USA |
BOX |
Olympics / Torch Bearer / Olympic Flagbearer |
1960—2012 |
Awarded by President George W. Bush in 2005. |
| Babe Didrikson |
USA |
ATH |
Olympics |
1932 |
Awarded by President Joseph Biden in 2021. |
| Dan Gable |
USA |
WRE |
Olympics |
1972 |
Awarded by President Donald Trump in 2020. |
| Pat Head |
USA |
BKB |
Olympics / Coach |
1976—1984 |
Awarded by President Barack Obama in 2012. |
| Magic Johnson |
USA |
BKB |
Olympics |
1992 |
Awarded by President Joseph Biden in 2025. |
| Michael Jordan |
USA |
BKB |
Olympics |
1984—1992 |
Awarded by President Barack Obama in 2016. |
| Katie Ledecky |
USA |
SWM |
Olympics / Closing Flagbearer |
2012—2024 |
Awarded by President Joseph Biden in 2024. |
| Lionel Messi |
 ARG |
FBL |
Olympics |
2008 |
Awarded by President Joseph Biden in 2025. |
| Jesse Owens |
USA |
ATH |
Olympics |
1936 |
Awarded by President Gerald Ford in 1976. |
| Megan Rapinoe |
USA |
FBL |
Olympics |
2012—2020 |
Awarded by President Joseph Biden in 2022. |
| Bill Russell |
USA |
BKB |
Olympics |
1956 |
Awarded by President Barack Obama in 2011. |
| Jim Ryun |
USA |
ATH |
Olympics |
1964—1972 |
Awarded by President Donald Trump in 2020. |
| Dean Smith |
USA |
BKB |
Coach |
1976 |
Awarded by President Barack Obama in 2013. |
| Jim Thorpe |
USA |
ATH/BBL |
Olympics / Non-Medal |
1912 |
Awarded by President Joseph Biden in 2024 (posthumous award). |
| Jerry West |
USA |
BKB |
Olympics |
1960 |
Awarded by President Donald Trump in 2019. |
| Michelle Yeoh |
 MAS |
|
Administrator |
2023 |
Awarded by President Joseph Biden in 2024. |