The Olympic Games represent a pinnacle of global sportsmanship and unity, showcasing athletic prowess and cultural exchange on an international stage. From track and field to swimming, gymnastics to team sports, the Olympics inspire athletes to push the boundaries of human potential while promoting peace and understanding through the universal language of sport.
In the realm of Olympic athletes, a distinguished few are renowned for their remarkable accomplishments in winning the highest number of medals across multiple Games.
These athletes exemplify exceptional skill, endurance, and unwavering dedication to Olympic ideals. These individuals have etched their names into Olympic lore, inspiring generations with their extraordinary athleticism and resilience and being in the list of the athletes who won the most Olympic games medals. Their extensive medal collections stand as a testament to their unmatched pursuit of excellence on the global stage of the Olympic Games with the most winning medals.
The most Olympic medals have solidified their places in history through exceptional performances across multiple Games. These athletes have demonstrated unparalleled dedication, skill, and endurance, setting records that highlight their dominance in their respective sports. Their achievements not only elevate their own legacies but also inspire future generations of Olympians.
Michael Phelps, the former American swimmer, holds the record of most Olympic medals in history. Phelps achieved this feat by earning 28 medals across five editions of the Games, spanning from 2000 to 2016. His impressive tally includes 23 gold, two silver, and three bronze medals, solidifying his status as the most decorated Olympian of all time.
List of the athletes who won the most medals in the Olympic games 2024
Name
| Country
| Sport
| Medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze)
|
Michael Phelps
| USA
| Swimming
| 28 (23, 3, 2)
|
Larisa Latynina
| Soviet Union
| Gymnastics
| 18 (9, 5, 4)
|
Marit Bjorgen
| Norway
| Cross-country skiing (Winter Olympics)
| 15 (8, 4, 3)
|
Nikolai Andrianov
| Soviet Union
| Gymnastics
| 15 (7, 5, 3)
|
Ole Einar Bjorndalen
| Norway
| Biathlon (Winter Olympics)
| 13 (8, 4, 1)
|
Boris Shakhlin
| Soviet Union
| Gymnastics
| 13 (7, 4, 2)
|
Edoardo Mangiarotti
| Italy
| Fencing
| 13 (6, 5, 2)
|
Ireen Wust
| Netherlands
| Speed skating (Winter Olympics)
| 13 (6, 5, 2)
|
Takashi Ono
| Japan
| Gymnastics
| 13 (5, 4, 4)
|
Paavo Nurmi
| Finland
| Athletics
| 12 (9, 3, 0)
|
The legends with a record of most Olympic medals
Michael Phelps: The Swimming Phenom | Country: USA |
Sport: Swimming |
Medals: 28 (23 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze)
Michael Phelps, often hailed as the greatest swimmer of all time, holds the record for the most Olympic medals won by any athlete. His journey began at the age of 15 during the Sydney Olympics in 2000, where he claimed his first international medal. Phelps went on to dominate the pool across five Olympic Games, from Athens 2004 to Rio 2016. Known for his versatility and unmatched endurance, Phelps amassed an incredible 23 gold medals, including his historic eight golds in Beijing 2008.
Larisa Latynina: The Soviet Gymnastics Icon | Country: Soviet Union |
Sport: Gymnastics |
Medals: 18 (9 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze)
Larisa Latynina made history as the most successful female Olympian before Michael Phelps. Competing for the Soviet Union in the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Olympics, Latynina showcased unparalleled talent in gymnastics, excelling in floor exercises, balance beam, and uneven bars. Her graceful performances and technical precision earned her 18 Olympic medals, including nine golds.
Marit Bjorgen: The Cross-Country Skiing Champion | Country: Norway |
Sport: Cross-country skiing (Winter Olympics) |
Medals: 15 (8 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze)
Marit Bjorgen stands as the most decorated Winter Olympian in history, known for her dominance in cross-country skiing. Bjorgen's Olympic journey spanned from Salt Lake City 2002 to PyeongChang 2018, where she showcased exceptional endurance and technique on the snow-covered tracks. With a total of 15 Olympic medals, including eight golds, Bjorgen's achievements solidified her status as a legend in winter sports.
Nikolai Andrianov: The Soviet Gymnastic Powerhouse | Country: Soviet Union |
Sport: Gymnastics |
Medals: 15 (7 gold, 5 silver, 3 bronze)
Nikolai Andrianov left an indelible mark on gymnastics as one of the most successful male gymnasts in Olympic history. Competing in three Olympics from 1972 to 1980, Andrianov's powerful performances in floor exercises, pommel horse, and rings earned him a total of 15 Olympic medals. His ability to blend strength, agility, and artistic flair made him a formidable competitor and a beloved figure in Soviet sports.
Ole Einar Bjorndalen: The Biathlon Legend | Country: Norway |
Sport: Biathlon (Winter Olympics) |
Medals: 13 (8 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze)
Ole Einar Bjorndalen redefined the sport of biathlon with his exceptional marksmanship and skiing prowess. Competing in an astonishing six Olympic Games from 1994 to 2014, Bjorndalen amassed a total of 13 Olympic medals, including eight golds. His ability to maintain precision under intense physical exertion made him a dominant force on the biathlon course.
Boris Shakhlin: The Soviet Gymnastics Maestro | Country: Soviet Union |
Sport: Gymnastics |
Medals: 13 (7 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze)
Boris Shakhlin captivated audiences with his exceptional skills and versatility in gymnastics during the 1960s. Competing in three Olympic Games, Shakhlin's performances in vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar earned him a total of 13 Olympic medals. His ability to excel across multiple apparatuses showcased his technical precision and physical strength.
Edoardo Mangiarotti: The Fencing Maestro | Country: Italy |
Sport: Fencing |
Medals: 13 (6 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze)
Edoardo Mangiarotti remains one of the most decorated fencers in Olympic history, competing in foil and epee events across six Olympic Games from 1936 to 1960. His exceptional skill, tactical prowess, and sportsmanship earned him a total of 13 Olympic medals. Mangiarotti's ability to adapt his fencing style to various opponents and situations made him a formidable competitor on the Olympic stage.
Ireen Wust: The Speed Skating Champion |Country: Netherlands |
Sport: Speed skating (Winter Olympics) |
Medals: 13 (6 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze)
Ireen Wust has etched her name in Winter Olympic history as the most successful Dutch Olympian, excelling in speed skating across five Olympic Games from 2006 to 2022. Known for her powerful strides and strategic racing tactics, Wust's dominance in both sprint and distance events earned her a total of 13 Olympic medals, including six golds.
Takashi Ono: The Japanese Gymnastics Pioneer | Country: Japan |
Sport: Gymnastics |
Medals: 13 (5 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze)
Takashi Ono made history as one of Japan's greatest gymnasts, competing in multiple events across four Olympic Games from 1952 to 1964. Known for his technical precision and innovative routines on the floor, pommel horse, and rings, Ono earned a total of 13 Olympic medals.
Paavo Nurmi: The Finnish Running Legend | Country: Finland |
Sport: Athletics |
Medals: 12 (9 gold, 3 silver, 0 bronze)
Paavo Nurmi remains one of the greatest middle and long-distance runners in Olympic history, competing in track events across three Olympic Games from 1920 to 1928. Known for his exceptional endurance and tactical racing strategies, Nurmi earned a total of 12 Olympic medals, including nine golds.
These legendary Olympians have not only achieved extraordinary success on the world's biggest sporting stage but also inspired millions with their dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
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