The 10 Olympic Athletes With The Most Gold Medals

The Olympic Games have witnessed extraordinary feats of athleticism, dedication, and perseverance throughout their history.

This article highlights ten remarkable Olympians who have left an indelible mark on the world's most prestigious sporting event.

From Michael Phelps' unparalleled swimming dominance to Katie Ledecky's recent record-tying performance, these athletes represent the pinnacle of Olympic achievement. Spanning various sports, nations, and eras, their stories showcase the evolution of athletic excellence and the enduring spirit of the Games.

Whether breaking records in the pool, on the track, or in winter sports, these individuals have not only earned their place in Olympic history but have also inspired generations of athletes to push the boundaries of human potential. Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Phelps (United States): 23 gold (28 total)

The most decorated Olympian in history, Phelps dominated swimming for over a decade. His peak performance came at the 2008 Beijing Games, where he claimed an unprecedented eight gold medals. He continued his stellar career with nine more golds in subsequent Olympics. Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Paavo Nurmi (Finland): 9 gold (12 total)

A pioneer in distance running, Nurmi collected nine Olympic golds between 1920 and 1928. His impressive haul included six individual and three team titles. Nurmi's Olympic journey was cut short in 1932 due to a ban for alleged professionalism. Wikimedia

Mark Spitz (United States): 9 gold (11 total)

Spitz's performance at the 1972 Munich Olympics was legendary. He set multiple world records and secured seven gold medals, with his final triumph coming in the 400-meter medley relay. Wikimedia/UPI

Carl Lewis (United States): 9 gold (10 total)

Lewis matched Jesse Owens' 1936 feat by winning four golds at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. He conquered the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump, and 4x100-meter relay, with the latter event resulting in a world-record time. George Long-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Einar Bjørndalen (Norway): 8 gold (13 total)

The biathlon champion made his Olympic debut in 1994, but it was in 2002 that Bjørndalen truly shone. At the Salt Lake City Games, he achieved an unprecedented clean sweep of all four biathlon events. Wikimedia/Sergei Kazantsev

Larisa Latynina (Soviet Union): 9 gold (18 total)

Latynina's gymnastics career spanned three Olympics from 1956 to 1964. She medaled in 18 events, including nine golds across various disciplines. After retiring, she transitioned to coaching the Soviet national team. Wikimedia/L. Mihăică

Katie Ledecky: (United States): 9 gold (14 total)

Ledecky cemented her status as a swimming superstar in Paris, breaking her own record in the 1500m freestyle for her eighth gold. This achievement tied her with Jenny Thompson for the most Olympic gold medals in women's swimming. Ledecky passed Thompson on Saturday in Paris when she earned her ninth gold in the 800m freestyle Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Sports

Marit Bjørgen (Norway): 8 gold (15 total)

A cross-country skiing legend, Bjørgen competed in five Winter Olympics. Her most impressive showing came in 2010 at Vancouver, where she claimed five medals, including three golds. She holds the record for most Winter Olympic medals. Wikimedia/Tadeusz Mieczyński

Birgit Fischer-Schmidt (East Germany/Germany): 8 gold (12 total)

Fischer-Schmidt's canoeing career spanned an impressive 24 years and six Olympics. She won golds in various events, took a break to have her second child, then returned to reclaim Olympic glory. Her final gold came at age 42 in Athens. Wikimedia

Jenny Thompson (United States): 8 gold (12 total)

Thompson's Olympic success came primarily in relay events, where she won all eight of her gold medals. Her individual achievements included silver in the 100-meter freestyle in 1992 and bronze in the same event in 2000. George Long-USA TODAY Sports