- Jan 2 Graham Sharp, British figure skater (World C'ship, European C'ship 1939), dies at 77
- Jan 7 Harry Golombek, British chess grandmaster, author (3-time British champion), dies at 83
- Jan 8 Carlos Monzón, Argentine boxer (Undisputed world middleweight champion 1970-74, 76-77), dies in a car accident at 52
- Jan 9 Gisela Mauermeyer, German discus thrower (Olympic gold 1936), dies at 81
- Jan 18 Ron Luciano, American baseball umpire in the American League (1969-79), dies at 57
- Jan 21 Philippe Casado, Moroccan-French bicyclist, dies at 30
- Jan 26 Vic Buckingham, English soccer player and trainer (Ajax), dies at 79
- Jan 29 Dickie Burnell, British rower (Olympic gold double sculls 1948), dies at 77
- Jan 30 George Poyser, English soccer defender (Brentford) and manager (Notts County, Manchester City), dies at 84
- Jan 31 Sir John Smith, English soccer administrator (chairman Liverpool F.C. 1973-90), dies at 74
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions