Athletes With The Most Olympic Medals

The pinnacle of human athleticism is on full display at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with athletes from over 200 countries competing for the crown of being the best in the world, featuring competitors with unparalleled agility, endurance, power, and stamina. The opening first week has concluded, leaving audiences with gut-wrenching highs and lows. Simone Biles cemented her legacy as the greatest gymnast, winning her third gold medal. Meanwhile, 22-year-old Léon Marchand added four gold medals to his collection after he dominated the 200m butterfly final, missing the world record by a mere six-hundredths of a second—analysts are already putting him in the conversation with the great Michael Phelps. Despite these impressive displays, there are athletes who boast even more medals, which we will discuss in this article.

History of the Olympics

The exact year of the first Olympic event is debated, but historians generally agree it began some 3,000 years ago in the region of Peloponnese, Greece. The competition was held every four years and continued for centuries until it eventually declined in the fourth century AD. Luckily, it was revived by a wealthy Frenchman, Pierre de Coubertin, in 1894, and his dream took off two years later at the 1896 Summer Olympics. The inaugural event consisted of just 14 nations, and all 241 athletes were men. At this year's Paris Games, over 10,500 athletes are currently competing, with over 5,000 being women.

While being nominated to compete in the Olympics is an honor, the Games have provided the cream of the crop with a special platform to distinguish themselves—as the best of the best in the world—throughout the Olympics' storied 128 years. So, without further ado, let's explore which of these athletes has amassed the most Olympic medals!

1. Michael Phelps: 28 medals

The most decorated Olympian in history is none other than Michael Phelps, also known as the “Baltimore Bullet.”. Phelps captivated the world in 2008 after he shattered his world record in the 400-meter individual medley. He went on to win a staggering eight gold medals in Beijing, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest athletes to ever compete. The American’s dominant streak continued until retirement, winning 12 more medals in 2012 and 2016 for good measure. As of this moment, Phelps has a commanding 10-medal advantage over the second-place finisher on this list, with 28 medals in total medals to his name.

2. Larisa Latynina: 18 medals

Second on the list is the legendary Larisa Latynina, who competed for the Soviet Union from 1956 to 1964. Latynina took home gold at just 21 years of age in the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games in tightly contested competitions. Her winning streak continued throughout her career, culminating with two more gold medals in her final appearance in the 1964 Games. Overall, she won an impressive 18 medals: nine gold, five silver, and four bronze. Unbeknownst to most, Latynina held the record for the most Olympic medals for almost 50 years, from 1964 to 2012.

3. Marit Bjørgen: 15 medals

Marit Bjørgen’s nickname is Gull Marit, which translates to “Golden Marit,”—a suitable name given all her medals, eight of which are gold. The Norwegian cross-country skier’s story is like a hero movie, given her less-than-stellar performances in the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics Games—while she did win silver in both events, she was hindered in the latter by a bad case of bronchitis and stomach ache, but the best was still to come. Not to be outdone, she revved it up a notch and won multiple gold medals in the subsequent Olympics, winning 15 in total and ranking first among Winter Olympic medalists to this day.

4. Nikolai Andrianov: 15 medals

Nikolai Andrianov stands as one of the most celebrated gymnasts in history. Andrianov held the record for the most Olympic medals for men until he was surpassed by Phelps in 2008. At 19 years of age, Andrianov won his first gold at the 1972 Munich Olympics in the floor exercise event. He went on to win four additional gold medals and three silver medals at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and concluded his Olympic career at the 1980 Moscow Games, where he won a pair of silver medals and a bronze, bringing his total to 15. He was also a pioneer in his sport, as he was the first gymnast to ever do a successful triple somersault dismount from the high bar in 1974 in the world championships.

5. Katie Ledecky: 14 medals

Katie Ledecky has been nothing short of dominant in the Games so far. The swimming phenom won her ninth gold medal, the most by any American female Olympian in history. Ledecky secured the gold on Saturday, tying the record for the most gold medals by a female athlete (Larisa Latynina), and defended her 800-meter freestyle match against Australia's Ariarne Titmus. More excitingly, Ledecky recently stated that she has no intention to retire, and plans to compete in her home country for the 2028 Games.

6. Ole Einar Bjørndalen: 13 medals

Known as the “King of Biathlon,” Bjørndalen boasts 13 Winter Olympic medals to his name: eight gold, four silver, and one bronze. To be called a king in anything, you have to be good—really good. And that he was. Bjørndalen competed in six Olympic Games from 1994 to 2014, reigning supreme from a young, promising athlete to a global icon. His once-in-a-lifetime talent culminated in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City when he crushed the competition, winning all four biathlon gold medals.

7. Boris Shakhlin: 13 medals

Despite competing only between 1956 and 1964, Boris Shakhlin, also known as "Iron Boris," took home 13 Olympic medals, with his strongest performance at the 1960 and 1964 games, winning four gold medals in 1960 alone. While some posit that Shakhlin was ahead of his time, those who knew him well credit his consistency and unwavering determination for why the Soviet athlete left such an indelible mark in his domain. Iron Boris continued to impact the game after retiring, dedicating his time and resources to promoting the sport he loved through various means.

8. Edoardo Mangiarotti: 13 medals

Edoardo Mangiarotti is one of the most decorated athletes in Olympic history. The Italian fencer first competed in the 1936 Games in Berlin and won his first gold medal contending in the team épée event, achieving this at just 17 years of age as a young teenager. His winning ways continued as he helped Italy claim gold 20 years later at age 41 in the team foil event in Rome at the 1960 Games. To date, Mangiarott still holds the record for most medals won in fencing.

9. Ireen Wüst: 13 medals

Ireen Wüst stands as one of the most accomplished speed skaters ever. Through her storied career, Wüst secured six gold medals, five silver, and two bronze. She made history by becoming the first athlete to win individual gold medals in five different Olympic Games. Her best year was arguably in 2014 during the Sochi Olympics, where she earned an impressive five medals: two gold and three silver. Her stellar performance did not go unnoticed, as she was considered one of the best athletes to compete in the Sochi Olympics in 2014.

10. Takashi Ono: 13 medals

Finishing off the list is Takashi Ono. The Japanese gymnast was exceptional in his craft and played an integral role in breaking the pattern of Soviet dominance in gymnastics; the 1960 Rome Olympics was a turning point, as Japan captured six medals thanks to Ono's performance. Throughout his illustrious career, he won five gold medals, four silver, and four bronze, cementing his legacy as a towering figure in Japanese sports. Ono became a Hall of Famer in the world of gymnastics in 1998, and his story still continues to inspire today.

As the Paris Games continue, athletes of today will continue showcasing the boundaries of human capability through their commitment to honing and perfecting their craft—a result of years of dedication and resilience. Their remarkable performances serve as a potent reminder to cherish every moment, every win, and every loss for the history books. The greats like Phelps and Latynina paved the path for today's stars, and today's stars will pave the path for tomorrow's stars. As audiences, let's continue to celebrate the Games and enjoy the remarkable contributions these athletes bring to the world of sports and beyond.