The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris have been nothing short of historic, with American athletes already making their mark and adding to their legacies. From Simone Biles and the veteran Team USA to Katie Ledecky, who continues to defy logic with her incredible gold-medal winning performances, multiple American athletes have captured the hearts of fans all over the world.
Biles, who is widely considered as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, has once again showcased her incredible skills in Paris. With her gravity-defying routines, she has solidified her place in history as a dominant force in the sport. Ledecky, on the other hand, continues to amaze with her remarkable performances in the pool. At just 24 years old, she has already tied as the second-most decorated American Olympian of all time, alongside fellow swimmer Jenny Thompson.
But of course, when it comes to Olympic greatness, one name stands out above all – Michael Phelps. The American swimmer, who retired in 2016, holds the record for the most decorated Olympian of all time, with an unbelievable 28 medals to his name. Phelps’ achievements are unmatched, with 23 of his medals being gold – more than any other Olympian has total medals.
Following closely behind Phelps is cross-country skier Marit Bjørgen, who is the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time. With 15 medals, including eight golds, in her career that spanned from 2002 to 2018, Bjørgen is a true legend in her sport. She is followed by Soviet gymnast Nikolai Andrianov, who also earned 15 medals, including seven golds, in his Olympic career from 1972 to 1980.
Ledecky, with her recent gold-medal winning performance in the 1500m freestyle, has tied Thompson as the most decorated swimmer in American history. Both athletes have an impressive 12 Olympic medals to their name – eight golds, three silvers, and one bronze. Along with Ledecky and Thompson, three other American swimmers have also achieved the same feat of 12 Olympic medals – Ryan Lochte, Dara Torres, and Natalie Coughlin.
Lochte, who competed in the Olympics from 2004 to 2016, has six gold medals, three silvers, and three bronzes to his name. Torres, who made her Olympics debut in 1984, holds the record for being the oldest swimmer in American Olympics history at the age of 41 in 2008. She has won four golds, four silvers, and four bronzes in her impressive career. Coughlin, who competed in three Olympics from 2004 to 2012, has three golds, four silvers, and five bronzes to her name.
With the Paris Games in full swing, let’s take a look at the top 10 most decorated Olympians of all time, from both the Summer and Winter Games:
1. Michael Phelps – USA – Swimming – 23 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze: 28 total medals
2. Larisa Latynina – Soviet Union – Gymnastics – 9 Gold, 5 Silver, 4 Bronze: 18 total medals
3. Marit Bjørgen – Norway – Cross-country skiing – 8 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze: 15 total medals
4. Nikolai Andrianov – Soviet Union – Gymnastics – 7 Gold, 5 Silver, 3 Bronze: 15 total medals
5. Ole Einar Bjørndalen – Norway – Biathlon, Cross-country skiing – 8 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze: 13 total medals
6. Boris Shakhlin – Soviet Union – Gymnastics – 7 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze: 13 total medals
7. Ireen Wüst – Netherlands – Speed skating – 6 Gold, 5 Silver, 2 Bronze: 13 total medals
8. Edoardo Mangiarotti – Italy – Fencing – 6 Gold, 5 Silver, 2 Bronze: 13 total medals
9. Ono Takashi – Japan – Gymnastics – 5 Gold, 4 Silver, 4 Bronze:
