Top 10 athletes with the most number of gold medals in Olympic history

Jenny Thompson won eight gold medals in 4 Olympic appearances

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

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 table
MedalOlympic gamesEvent
Gold1992 Barcelona4x100m freestyle relay women, 4x100m medley relay women
Gold1996 Atlanta4x100m freestyle relay women, 4x200m freestyle relay women, 4x100m medley relay women
Gold2000 Sydney4x100m freestyle relay women, 4x100m medley relay women, 4x200m medley relay women
Silver1992 Barcelona100m freestyle women
Silver2004 Athens4x100m freestyle relay women, 4x100m medley relay women
Bronze2000 Sydney100m freestyle women

#9 Sawao Kato

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 table
MedalOlympic gamesEvent
Gold1968 MexicoIndividual all-around men, team competition men, floor exercises men
Gold1972 MunichIndividual all-around men, team competition men, Parallel bars men
Gold1976 Montrealteam competition men, Parallel bars men
Silver1972 Munichhorizontal bar men, pommel horse men
Silver1976 Montrealindividual all-round men
Bronze1968 Mexicorings men

#8 Birgit Fischer

Birgit Fischer won his final gold medal at the age of 42

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 details
MedalOlympic gamesEvents
GoldAthens 2004K-4 500m (kayak four) women,
GoldSydney 2000K-2 500m (kayak double) women, K-4 500m (kayak four) women,
GoldAtlanta 1996K-4 500m (kayak double) women
GoldBarcelona 1992K-1 500m (kayak single) women
GoldSeoul 1998K-2 500m (kayak double) women, K-4 500m (kayak four) women
GoldMoscow 1980K-2 500m (kayak double) women
SilverAthens 2004K-2 500m (kayak double) women
SilverAtlanta 1996K-2 500m (kayak double) women
SilverSeoul 1988K-2 500m (kayak double) women
SilverBarcelona 1992K-2 500m (kayak double) women

#7 Bjørn Dæhlie

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 table
MedalOlympic gamesEvents
GoldNagano 199810km pursuit men, Relay 4x10km men,
GoldLillehammer 1994
Combined 10 Km Pursuit men, Combined 10Km+15 Km Pursuit men
GoldAlbertville 1992Combined 10km+15km Pursuit men, 30km mass start men, 50km men
SilverNagano 1998combined 10Km+15km Pursuit men
Silver Lillehammer 1994Relay 4*10km men, 30km mass start men
SilverAlbertville 199230km mass start men

#6 Ole Bjørndalen

Ole Bjrndalen
Bjørndalen is the most medalled athlete in the history of Winter Olympic games

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

Medal table
MedalsOlympic gamesEvents
GoldSochi 201410km men, Relay mix mixed
GoldVancouver 2012
GoldSalt Lake City 200212.5km pursuit men, 20km men, 10km pursuit men, 4x7.5km relay men,
GoldNagno 199810 Km men
SilverVancouver 201220km men
SilverTurin 200612.5km pursuit men, 20km men
SilverNagno 19984x7.5 Pursuit men
BronzeTurin 200615km mass start men

#5 Carl Lewis

Carl Lewis won four golds in 1984 Olympic games

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 table
MedalOlympic gamesEvents
GoldAtlanta 1996Long jump men
GoldBarcelona 1992Long jump men, 4x100m relay men
GoldSeoul 1988100m men, long jump men
GoldLos Angels 1984100m men, 200m men, long jump men, 4x100m relay men
SilverSeoul 1988200m men

#4 Mark Spitz

Mark Spitz
Mark Spitz was the first athlete to win seven gold medals in an Olympiad

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 table
MedalOlympic GamesEvents
GoldMunich 1972100m 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
GoldMexico 1968 4 x100m freestyle relay men, 4 x200m freestyle relay men
SilverMexico 1968100m butterfly men
BronzeMexico 1968100m freestyle men

#3 Paavo Nurmi

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 table
MedalOlympic gamesEvents
GoldAmsterdam 192810000m men
GoldParis 19241500m men, 3000m men, 5000m men, Cross country team men, cross country individual men
GoldAntwerp 192010000m men, Cross Country team men, Cross Country individual men
SilverAmsterdam 19285000m men 3000m steeplechase men
SilverAntwerp 19205000m men

#2 Larisa Latynina

Latynina is the most successful female Olympian of all-time

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 table
MedalOlympic GameEvents
GoldTokyo 1964Team competition women, Floor competition women
GoldRome 1960Individual all-round women, team competition women, Floor exercise women
GoldMelbourne/Stockholm 1960Individual all-round women, team competition women, Floor exercise women, Vault women
SilverTokyo 1964Vault Women, Individual all-round women
SilverRome 1960Balance beam women, uneven bars women
SilverMelbourne/Stockholm 1960uneven bars women
BronzeTokyo 1964Uneven bars women, floor excercises women
BronzeRome 1960Vault women
BronzeMelbourne/Stockholmteam, portable apparatus women

#1 Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all-time

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 table
MedalOlympic GamesEvents
GoldLondon 2012100m butterfly men, 200m butterfly men, 4x100m medley relay men, 4x200m freestyle relay men
GoldBeijing 2008100m 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
GoldAthens 2004100m butterfly men, 200m butterfly men, 200m individual medley men, 400m individual medley men, 4x100m medley relay men, 4x200m freestyle relay men
SilverLondon 2012200m butterfly men, 4x100 freestyle relay men
BronzeAthens 2004200m freestyle men, 4x100 freestyle relay men

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Edited by Staff Editor