RELATED: EPL star charged with underage sex offences
The sports personalities, who have not been named, were among more than 1,433 people on a suspect list including VIPs in politics and entertainment.
British police revealed its child abuse investigation extends to 76 politicians, 43 music identities and 135 from the TV, film or radio industry.
Operation Hydrant, a group set up by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) in the UK, announced the breakdown of professions at a media briefing.
It follows an extensive investigation by police officers analysing the links between child sex abuse and 'prominent public persons'.
A number of high-profile celebrities have been jailed for child sex offences in the UK in the past two years, including singer Gary Glitter, publicist Max Clifford and Australian entertainer Rolf Harris.