Yao Ming is among Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world

(AP)--Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong and Yao Ming are among the athletes selected to Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

The sevens sports figures chosen all are listed among ``Heroes and Icons,'' one of five categories used by the magazine in the issue on newsstands Monday.

Also selected: New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Real Madrid's David Beckham, British marathoner Paula Radcliffe and yoga teacher B.K.S. Iyengar.

On Woods, the magazine said: ``When only four golfers have won more majors than you have at 28, honors like five straight Player of the Year awards are no longer good enough. ... He's the rare phenom who exceeded the hype.''

Armstrong overcame testicular cancer and has won the Tour de France five times. ``If Armstrong wins the Tour de France again this summer, he will establish a new standard for the sport,'' the magazine wrote.

Phil Simms, the former New York Giants quarterback, profiled Belichick, who guided the Patriots to the Super Bowl title: ``He's not as dull as people think. Heck, he goes to Bon Jovi concerts!''

http://www.time.com/time/2004/time100/index.html