We are inching closer to the biggest sporting event in the world – The 2016 Olympics, which will be taking place in the historic city of Rio de Janeiro from 5 August to 21 August 2016. At every Summer Olympics, it is expected that athletes from United States, Great Britain, China, and Russia will secure large haul of medals.
Now, we look at the top 10 athletes with the most number of gold medals in Olympic history.
#10 Jenny Thompson
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Before stepping into the Olympic arena, Jenny Thompson was a medical student at Columbia University. With eight Olympic gold medals, Thompson was one of the most dominant Swimmers in the 1990's. She won the first gold medal at the 1992 summer Olympic games in Barcelona, setting the tone for her incredible career. Four years later in Atlanta, She added three more golds in the relay events.
At the summer Olympic games in Sydney Thompson won three gold medals taking his medal tally to 8, but however, the talented swimmer failed to win a single championship medal in the individual events.
Thompson holds the record for winning more Olympic gold medals than any other female swimmer in the history, with every one of them coming exclusively in the relay events.
Olympic Games appearances: 4
Number of Gold medals: 8
Olympic Games medals: 12
| Medal | Olympic games | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 1992 Barcelona | 4x100m freestyle relay women, 4x100m medley relay women |
| Gold | 1996 Atlanta | 4x100m freestyle relay women, 4x200m freestyle relay women, 4x100m medley relay women |
| Gold | 2000 Sydney | 4x100m freestyle relay women, 4x100m medley relay women, 4x200m medley relay women |
| Silver | 1992 Barcelona | 100m freestyle women |
| Silver | 2004 Athens | 4x100m freestyle relay women, 4x100m medley relay women |
| Bronze | 2000 Sydney | 100m freestyle women |
#9 Sawao Kato
When he was a child, Sawao showed very little interest in the sport, however, everything had changed when he entered the Gymnastic hall in Tokyo.
Sawao Kato is the successful male gymnast ever at the Olympics. He competed in 1968 Olympics alongside his elder brother Takeshi and won the team competition, in the all-around and on the floor.
Four years later in Munich, Kato played an important part in the team competition to overcome the arch-rivals Russia. He won three gold medals and two silver medals as Japan finished fifth with 13 golds in the Bavarian Capital.
In the 1976 Summer Olympic games in Montreal, Kato successfully defended his parallel bars title and won the team competition for the third time in a row, taking his overall tally of Olympic golds to eight.
His career spanned from 1968 to 1976 and between these years, he won twelve Olympic medals. Also,he won more Olympic gold medals than any Japanese Olympian and is second after Ono in the total number of medals.
Olympic Games’ appearances: 3
Number.of gold medals: 8
Olympic Games’ medals: 12
| Medal | Olympic games | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 1968 Mexico | Individual all-around men, team competition men, floor exercises men |
| Gold | 1972 Munich | Individual all-around men, team competition men, Parallel bars men |
| Gold | 1976 Montreal | team competition men, Parallel bars men |
| Silver | 1972 Munich | horizontal bar men, pommel horse men |
| Silver | 1976 Montreal | individual all-round men |
| Bronze | 1968 Mexico | rings men |
#8 Birgit Fischer
Birgit Fischer made his Olympic debut at the 1980 Summer Olympic games in Moscow, Russia and instantly won a gold in the K2, becoming the youngest ever Canoeist Champion at the age of 18. Due to East Germany’s boycott, Fischer couldn’t able to repeat the same feat four years later in Los Angeles. Having married, the German Kayaker was back in action at the 1988 summer Olympic games in Seoul and won golds in the pairs and fours.
She added golds in Barcelona and Atlanta taking his gold medal tally to five. Fischer retired from the sport, after adding two more golds and a silver at the 2000 summer Olympic games in Sydney.
Four years later, She came out of retirement and won a gold at the Summer Olympic games in Athens, becoming the oldest ever Olympic Canoeing Champion, at the age of 42.
Olympic Games’ appearances: 7
Number of Gold medals: 8
Olympic Games’ medals: 12
| Medal | Olympic games | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Athens 2004 | K-4 500m (kayak four) women, |
| Gold | Sydney 2000 | K-2 500m (kayak double) women, K-4 500m (kayak four) women, |
| Gold | Atlanta 1996 | K-4 500m (kayak double) women |
| Gold | Barcelona 1992 | K-1 500m (kayak single) women |
| Gold | Seoul 1998 | K-2 500m (kayak double) women, K-4 500m (kayak four) women |
| Gold | Moscow 1980 | K-2 500m (kayak double) women |
| Silver | Athens 2004 | K-2 500m (kayak double) women |
| Silver | Atlanta 1996 | K-2 500m (kayak double) women |
| Silver | Seoul 1988 | K-2 500m (kayak double) women |
| Silver | Barcelona 1992 | K-2 500m (kayak double) women |
#7 Bjørn Dæhlie
Arguably the greatest Nordic skier of all-time, Dæhlie showed less interest in Skiing and followed football at his young age. He wanted to be a football player, until his coach pushed him in Nordic skiing. He made his Olympic debut at the 1992 Olympic games in Albertville France and won three gold medals and a silver medal in his first Olympic stint.
Dæhlie won two golds by competing in front of the home fans at Lillehammer and further added three golds at the 1998 Summer Olympic games in Nagano. His total tally of 12 was a record for all winter Olympians until it was broken by his own countrymen Bjorndalen in 2014.
Nicknamed “Rocketman" Dæhlie is one of the greatest Cross Country Skier to have ever lived.
Take a look at the achievements of Dæhlie below
Olympic Games’ appearances: 3
Number of Gold medals: 8
Olympic Games’ medals: 12
| Medal | Olympic games | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Nagano 1998 | 10km pursuit men, Relay 4x10km men, |
| Gold | Lillehammer 1994 | Combined 10 Km Pursuit men, Combined 10Km+15 Km Pursuit men |
| Gold | Albertville 1992 | Combined 10km+15km Pursuit men, 30km mass start men, 50km men |
| Silver | Nagano 1998 | combined 10Km+15km Pursuit men |
| Silver | Lillehammer 1994 | Relay 4*10km men, 30km mass start men |
| Silver | Albertville 1992 | 30km mass start men |
#6 Ole Bjørndalen
Nicknamed the “King of Biathlon”, Ole Einar Bjørndalen made his Olympic debut on native soil at Lillehammer in 1994. But, he failed to win a gold and also had minimal success in his first Olympic appearance. Four years later at Nagano , he grabbed his first gold medal in 10 Kilometer biathlon event.
Bjørndalen’s medal-winning exploits increased in Salt lake, as he achieved a remarkable clean sweep of the biathlon golds, winning the sprint, the pursuit, the 20km individual and the 4x7.5km relay
Four years later in Turin, he once again, failed to win a gold medal but added two silver and a bronze medal at the Northern Italy.
At Sochi 2014, 40-year old Norwegian was back to his very best by winning the championship medal in 10 km men and Relay mixed, that took his overall tally to 13 medals. He also became the most medalled athlete in the history of the Olympic Winter Games.
Olympic Games’ appearances: 3
Number of Gold medals: 8
Olympic Games’ medals: 13
| Medals | Olympic games | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Sochi 2014 | 10km men, Relay mix mixed |
| Gold | Vancouver 2012 | |
| Gold | Salt Lake City 2002 | 12.5km pursuit men, 20km men, 10km pursuit men, 4x7.5km relay men, |
| Gold | Nagno 1998 | 10 Km men |
| Silver | Vancouver 2012 | 20km men |
| Silver | Turin 2006 | 12.5km pursuit men, 20km men |
| Silver | Nagno 1998 | 4x7.5 Pursuit men |
| Bronze | Turin 2006 | 15km mass start men |
#5 Carl Lewis
Carl Lewis is an American track and field athlete who won 9 Olympic gold medals from 1984 to 1996. He made his Olympic debut in Los Angels and won his first gold medal in the 100m, running 9.99s, to defeat the fellow American Sam Graddy. In the same Olympics, Lewis also emulated his boyhood idol Jesse Owens by winning gold in the 100m, the 200m, the long jump and the 4x100m relay.
Of all his many victories, Lewis' arguably most famous race was the 100 meters at the 1988 Olympics, when Canada's Ben Johnson beat Lewis with a record time of 9.79. But three days later, the Olympic committee announced that Johnson had failed a drug test, losing his medal to Lewis in disgrace.
Lewis defended the championship in Long Jump category, in all the four Olympics, he competed. He won his 9th and final gold medal at the 1996 Olympic games in Georgia and subsequently retired.
Let’s see the achievements of Carl Lewis below
Olympic Games’ appearances: 4
Number of Gold medals:9
Olympic Games’ medals: 10
| Medal | Olympic games | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Atlanta 1996 | Long jump men |
| Gold | Barcelona 1992 | Long jump men, 4x100m relay men |
| Gold | Seoul 1988 | 100m men, long jump men |
| Gold | Los Angels 1984 | 100m men, 200m men, long jump men, 4x100m relay men |
| Silver | Seoul 1988 | 200m men |
#4 Mark Spitz
Mark Spitz, one of the greatest swimmers of all-time, made his Olympic debut in 1968 and won two golds in 4×100-meter freestyle relay and 4×200-meter freestyle relay men.
He made his Olympics Splash in 1972 Olympic games in Munich, when he became the first athlete to win seven gold medals in an Olympiad. His achievement stood still for 36 years, until it was broken by his own countrymen, Michael Phelps, who won eight gold medals in the 2008 Summer Olympic games in Beijing.
Spitz set a world record in all the seven events in Munich, an achievement that stands still and proving impossible for any athlete to break.
Olympic Games’ appearances: 2
Number of Gold medals: 9
Total medals won: 11
| Medal | Olympic Games | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Munich 1972 | 100m butterfly men, 200m butterfly men, 200 freestyle men, 100m, freestyle men, 4 x100m medley relay men, 4 x100m freestyle relay men, 4 x200m freestyle relay men |
| Gold | Mexico 1968 | 4 x100m freestyle relay men, 4 x200m freestyle relay men |
| Silver | Mexico 1968 | 100m butterfly men |
| Bronze | Mexico 1968 | 100m freestyle men |
#3 Paavo Nurmi
Nicknamed “Flying Finn” for his dominating performances in distance running, in the early 20th century, Paavo Nurmi won nine gold medals between 1920-1928. He made his debut at 1920 Summer Olympic games in Antwerp, Belgium and added two golds in the 10,000m cross country, and team cross country.
Paavo Nurmi broke many records in Paris, four years later and became the first athlete to win five gold medals in the history of Olympic games. Nurmi won the 1500m, the 5,000m, the 3,000m team event and the two cross-country events in the peak of four days. The “Flying Finn also won the 5000m, less than two hours after the 1500m in the same Olympics. He won two golds in Amsterdam, four years later, and throughout his 14-year career, he remained unbeaten in cross country events and 10,000m.
Let’s look at the Olympic achievements of Paavo Nurmi below
Olympic Games’ appearances: 4
Number of Gold medals:9
Total medals won : 11
| Medal | Olympic games | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Amsterdam 1928 | 10000m men |
| Gold | Paris 1924 | 1500m men, 3000m men, 5000m men, Cross country team men, cross country individual men |
| Gold | Antwerp 1920 | 10000m men, Cross Country team men, Cross Country individual men |
| Silver | Amsterdam 1928 | 5000m men 3000m steeplechase men |
| Silver | Antwerp 1920 | 5000m men |
#2 Larisa Latynina
The Russian, Larisa Latynina emerged as the most successful gymnast at the 1956 summer Olympics in Melbourne. Between 1956 and 1964 she won 9 individual Olympic gold medals. Her total of 18 Olympic medals was a record for 48 years until Phelps swam past her in London, four years ago.
Latynina is the only women to have won 9 gold medals, also she is the only female gymnast to have won team gold, all-round gold and an event final gold at the same Olympics. Having won 14 individual medals, one more than Phelps, Larisa Latynina is the most decorated female olympian of all-time.
We will look at the events and number of medals Larisa Latynina won in her Olympic venture
Olympic Games’ appearances: 3
Number of Gold medals:9
Olympic Games total medals: 18
| Medal | Olympic Game | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Tokyo 1964 | Team competition women, Floor competition women |
| Gold | Rome 1960 | Individual all-round women, team competition women, Floor exercise women |
| Gold | Melbourne/Stockholm 1960 | Individual all-round women, team competition women, Floor exercise women, Vault women |
| Silver | Tokyo 1964 | Vault Women, Individual all-round women |
| Silver | Rome 1960 | Balance beam women, uneven bars women |
| Silver | Melbourne/Stockholm 1960 | uneven bars women |
| Bronze | Tokyo 1964 | Uneven bars women, floor excercises women |
| Bronze | Rome 1960 | Vault women |
| Bronze | Melbourne/Stockholm | team, portable apparatus women |
#1 Michael Phelps
Having won 18 Gold medals in three Olympics, Michael Phelps, the American Swimmer is the most decorated Olympian of all-time. Phelps was just 19-years when he entered the scene in 2004 Athens Olympic games. He won 6 gold medals in his first stint and also registered second best performance over single Olympics.
Four years later in Beijing, Phelps was at his peak by winning 8 gold medals and also broke, Mark Spitz’s all-time record of 7 gold medals in a single event. It was after the 2008 Olympics that people started to regard him as not only the greatest swimmer, but also the greatest Olympian of all-time.
The American won 4 gold medals in 2012 summer Olympics in London taking his gold medal tally to 18. That really set him apart in the list of most gold medal winners. It will be hard for any athlete to even come close to what Phelps has achieved in his Olympic career.
Also Read: Phelps chosen as US flag-bearer
Let’s see the events and number of medals Phelps won in Olympics
Olympic Games’ appearances: 3
Number of Gold medals: 18
Olympic Games total medals: 22
| Medal | Olympic Games | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | London 2012 | 100m butterfly men, 200m butterfly men, 4x100m medley relay men, 4x200m freestyle relay men |
| Gold | Beijing 2008 | 100m butterfly men, 200m butterfly men, 200m freestyle men, 200m individual medley men, 400m individual medley men, 4x100m medley relay men, 4x100m freestyle relay men 4x200m freestyle relay men |
| Gold | Athens 2004 | 100m butterfly men, 200m butterfly men, 200m individual medley men, 400m individual medley men, 4x100m medley relay men, 4x200m freestyle relay men |
| Silver | London 2012 | 200m butterfly men, 4x100 freestyle relay men |
| Bronze | Athens 2004 | 200m freestyle men, 4x100 freestyle relay men |
