More than a century passed since 1896 when under the patronage of Pierre de Coubertine, first modern Olympic games were held. The motto “equality of all athletes without racial, political and religious discrimination” described all previous summer and winter Olympic Games. During that time several hundred athletes participated, with one simple goal-to better than the rest.
. Even though it is the desire of each of them to win and be the best, most athletes the mere participation in the Olympic Games was a life dream. To be the best in some sport and to win medals requires a lot o work, training and sacrifices. Some managed to do that not once or twice, but ten times or more. They dominated in their disciplines and entered in the history of Olympic Games.
You will have the chance to look at the list of 10 most successful and best athletes according to the number of won medals. This is not a list best paid or most popular athletes. Some of them most people never heard about, but that is not the reason not to admire them and respect them.
10MATT BIONDI
Sport: Swimming,
Total medals: 11,
Gold: 8, Silver: 1, Bronze: 2.
09JENNY THOMPSON
Sport: Swimming,
Total medals: 12,
Gold: 8, Silver: 3, Bronze: 1.
08SAWAO KATO
Sport: Gymnastics
Total medals: 12,
Gold: 8, Silver: 3, Bronze: 1.
07BIRGIT FISCHER
Sport: Canoeing,
Total medals: 12,
Gold: 8, Silver: 4, Bronze: 0.
06BJORN DPEHLIE
Sport: Cross-country skiing,
Total medals: 12,
Gold: 8, Silver: 4, Bronze: 0.
05CARL LEWIS
Sport: Athletics,
Total medals: 10,
Gold: 9, Silver: 1, Bronze: 0.
04MARK SPITZ
Sport: Swimming,
Total medals: 11,
Gold: 9, Silver: 1, Bronze: 1.
03PAAVO NURMI
Sport: Athletics,
Total medals: 12,
Gold: 9, Silver: 3, Bronze: 0.
02LARISA LATYNINA
Total medals: 18,
Gold: 9, Silver: 5, Bronze: 4.
01MICHAEL PHELPS
Sport: Swimming,
Total medals: 22,
Gold: 18, Silver: 2, Bronze: 2.