Michael Phelps, from the USA, stands as the greatest Olympian with 28 medals (23 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze), showcasing unparalleled prowess in swimming across five Games from 2000 to 2016. Larisa Latynina of the Soviet Union, a gymnastics icon, earned 18 medals (9 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze) from the
Michael Phelps, representing the USA in swimming, is the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals, including 23 gold, accumulated over five Games from Sydney 2000 to Rio 2016. He is followed by Larisa Latynina of the Soviet Union, who amassed 18 medals in gymnastics during the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Olympics. Marit Bjorgen from Norway leads in Winter Olympics with 15 medals in cross-country skiing from 2002 to 2018.
1. Michael Phelps (USA, Swimming)
)
The most decorated Olympian with 28 medals (23 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze), dominating across five Olympic Games from Sydney 2000 to Rio 2016.
2. Larisa Latynina (Soviet Union, Gymnastics)
)
The most successful female Olympian before Phelps, with 18 medals (9 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze) from the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Olympics.
3. Marit Bjorgen (Norway, Cross-Country Skiing)
)
The top Winter Olympian with 15 medals (8 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze) from Salt Lake City 2002 to PyeongChang 2018.
4. Nikolai Andrianov (Soviet Union, Gymnastics)
)
A dominant male gymnast with 15 medals (7 gold, 5 silver, 3 bronze) across three Olympics from 1972 to 1980.
5. Ole Einar Bjorndalen (Norway, Biathlon)
)
Renowned for his biathlon prowess with 13 medals (8 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze) spanning six Olympic Games from 1994 to 2014.
6. Boris Shakhlin (Soviet Union, Gymnastics)
)
Excelled in gymnastics with 13 medals (7 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze) from three Olympic Games in the 1960s.
7. Edoardo Mangiarotti (Italy, Fencing)
)
A fencing legend with 13 medals (6 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze) from six Olympics between 1936 and 1960.
8. Takashi Ono (Japan, Gymnastics)
)
A top gymnast with 13 medals (5 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze) from four Olympics between 1952 and 1964.
