Hall of Fame: The Most Successful Olympians in History

Since the very first Greece Olympics in 1896, hundreds of athletes from all over the world have joined the event to participate and compete in various sports. The time-honoured tradition has long been considered the pinnacle of athletic achievement. At the Olympics, the crème de la crème of each country gather to compete for gold. However, only a few Olympians have dominated this global stage of sports with their outstanding skill and talent. We take a look back at the most successful Olympians of all time, as measured by their astonishing medal counts.

The curtain has just dropped on the 2024 Paris Olympics. The United States utterly dominated this year, winning 40 gold medals and 126 medals in total. China came in second with 40 gold medals for a total of 91 medals, and Japan finished third with 20 gold medals, 45 in total. In terms of individuals, it was French swimmer Léon Marchand who took the crown by winning the most medals, claiming four golds and one bronze. After much criticism, controversy, moments of magnificence, and heartache, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games closed to much fanfare. And now, fans of sport can start looking ahead to the next Summer Olympics in 2028, which will be hosted by the City of Angles — Los Angeles.

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The most successful Olympians of all time by medal count

Takashi Ono, Japan — Gymnastics

Total medals: 13 (5 Gold, 4 Silver, 4 Bronze)
Years: 1952 – 1964

One of Japan’s most celebrated gymnasts, Takashi Ono competed in four Olympic Games during his career. He earned a total of 13 medals in Helsinki 1952, Melbourne 1956, Rome 1960, and Tokyo 1964.

Takashi Ono made his Olympic debut at the 1952 Helsinki Games. He didn’t win any medals this year, but the experience he gained paved the way for his future success. During the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Ono showed his dominance in gymnastics, winning his first Olympic gold medal in the team all-around event. Ono also won a silver medal on the horizontal bar and a bronze in the individual all-around, proving himself worthy of standing among the world’s top gymnasts.

The peak of Takashi Ono’s career was at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. At the event, Ono earned gold medals in three events: team all-around, horizontal bar, and vault. He also won silver in the individual all-around and bronze in the rings, assuming his place as one of the best gymnasts of all time. The next Olympics — the 1964 Tokyo edition — was special for Ono as it was hosted by his home country. By this time, Ono was an experienced veteran and one of the world’s most well-regarded gymnasts. At the event, he upped his medal count by winning gold in the team all-around and silver in the individual all-around.

Edoardo Mangiarotti, Italy — Fencing

Total medals: 13 (6 Gold, 5 Silver, 2 Bronze)
Years: 1936 – 1960

Edoardo Mangiarotti is one of the most successful Olympic fencers in the history of the sport. Trained by his father master fencer Giuseppe Mangiarotti, both Edoardo and his brother Dario Mangiarotti went on to become seasoned fencers themselve., and have even competed against one another in the Italian national team.

Edoardo Mangiarotti made his Olympic debut at the age of 17 in 1936 in Berlin. Despite being one of the youngest athletes competing, he received praise for his outstanding skills and won his first Olympic medal, a silver, as a member of the Italian squad in the team épée event. Mangiarotti returned to the Olympics after World War II, competing in the 1948 London Games. He restored his status as one of the world’s greatest fencers, winning two gold medals in team épée and team foil, as well as a silver in the individual épée event.

At the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Mangiarotti proved his exceptional abilities by winning three more medals: a gold in the team épée, a silver in the individual épée, and another silver in the team foil. The next Olympics, the 1956 edition held in Melbourne was Mangiarotti’s most successful showing yet. He won two gold medals, one in the team épée and another well-deserved one in the individual épée. He also led his team to the podium for a bronze in the team foil. Mangiarotti comPeted in his final Olympic Games in Rome, Italy, in 1960. He finished his Olympic career in dramatic fashion, capturing a gold medal in the team épée and a silver in the team foil. A fitting farewell for the legend, indeed.

Ireen Wüst, Netherlands — Skating

Total Medals: 13 (6 Gold, 5 Silver, 2 Bronze)
Years: 2006 – 2022

Dutch skater Ireen Wüst is one of the Olympics’ most decorated athletes. Winning 13 medals (6 gold, 5 silver, and 2 bronze) across five Winter Olympics, Wüst has proven her dominance in the sport.

Wüst made her Olympic debut at 19 in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Upon her debut on the Olympic stage, she made an immediate impact by winning gold in the 3000-meter event, becoming the youngest Dutch Olympic champion in Winter Games history. She also won a bronze medal in the 1500-meter event. Wüst continued to dominate speed skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, winning the gold medal in the 1500 metre event. However, it was the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia that would become one of the most successful events of her career. At Sochi, Wüst won a total of five medals, including two golds in the 3000 metre event and the team pursuit. She also earned silver medals in the 1000 metre, 1500 metre, and 5000 metre events, making her the most decorated athlete of the Sochi Olympics.

Wüst continued her winning streak at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. She won a gold medal in the 1500 metre event, becoming the first athlete to win an individual gold medal at four consecutive Winter Olympics. She also claimed a silver medal in the 3000 metre event, becoming one of the greatest speed skaters of all time. At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Wüst defended her gold medal once again and became the first athlete ever to win individual gold medals at five different Olympics. She also secured a silver medal in the team pursuit event, bringing her career total to 13.

Boris Shakhlin, Russia/U.S.S.R. — Gymnastics

Total Medals: 13 (7 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze)
Years: 1956 –1964

Boris Shakhlin is regarded as one of the most successful Olympians, representing the Soviet Union during a period of dominance in gymnastics. Shakhlin won 13 medals across three Olympic Games (7 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze), making him one of the most successful male gymnasts in history.

Boris developed a passion for gymnastics at a young age and received intensive training within the Soviet sports system. At his Olympic debut in 1956, he earned his first gold medal for his performance on the pommel horse along with a silver medal in the team all-around event. Shakhlin completely dominated the 1960 Rome Olympics, winning seven medals, including four golds in the individual all-around, horizontal bar, vault, and team all-around. Shakhlin also won silver medals for his performance on the parallel bars and pommel horse, as well as a bronze in rings.

The athlete went on to win three more medals at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, including gold in the parallel bars, silver in the team all-around, and bronze in the individual all-around. With a total of 13 Olympic medals, including seven golds, Shakhlin’s exceptional sporting career certainly received a fitting finale.

Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Norway — Biathlon, cross-country skiing

Total Medals: 13 (8 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze)
Years: 1998 – 2014

Ole Einar Bjørndalen is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most successful Winter Olympians of all time, particularly at the biathlon event. The athlete competed in six Winter Olympics, winning 13 medals (8 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze) and earning the nickname “King of Biathlon”.

He began cross-country skiing at an early age and eventually moved on to biathlon, a sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. With his zeal and perseverance, he quickly rose to the ranks of the world’s greatest biathletes. Bjørndalen competed at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, but did not win any medals in this edition. At the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, he won his first Olympic gold medal in the 10 km sprint race. Although he competed in other categories, he sadly did not secure a podium finish for those.

At the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City, USA, Bjørndalen made history by winning gold medals in all four biathlon events: the 10 km sprint, 12.5 km pursuit, 20 km individual, and 4×7.5 km relay. During the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, the athlete added two more medals to his collection. He took silver in both the 20 km individual and 4×7.5 km relay contests. Bjørndalen then competed in his fifth Olympic Games, the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, where he won a gold medal in the 4×7.5 km relay and a silver medal in the 20 km individual event.

At the age of 40, Bjørndalen competed in his sixth Olympic Games at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Against predictions, he won two more gold medals, one in the 10 km sprint and the other in the mixed relay, a new event at the Olympics. His sprint victory made him the oldest Winter Olympic gold medallist in an individual event, and his mixed relay win raised his career total up to 13 Olympic medals, tying him with fellow Norwegian Marit Bjørgen for the honour of being the most decorated Winter Olympian at the time.

Katie Ledecky, United States — Swimming

Total Medals: 14 (9 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze)
Years: 2012 – Present

Katie Ledecky is a young talent who is proving her excellence in the Olympic scene of today. Ledecky has won 14 Olympic medals for the United States, including 9 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze across four Olympic Games: 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024. The swimming prodigy made her international debut at the 2012 London Olympics, competing in the 800-meter freestyle event at the age of 15. She won the event with a display of overwhelming dominance, coming close to breaking the world record.

In the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Katie continued to shine in four solo freestyle events (200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m) alongside the 4x200m freestyle relay, winning four gold medals and one silver. She once again proved her swimming prowess at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which were moved to 2021 due to the pandemic, winning two gold medals and two silver medals.

Ledecky continued her winning streak at the recent Paris Olympics 2024, winning two gold medals in the 800m and 1500m freestyle events, plus one silver and one bronze in the 4X200m freestyle relay and 400m freestyle, respectively. It’s likely we’ll continue to see her shine at the 2028 LA Olympics.

Nikolay Andrianov, Russia/U.S.S.R. — Gymnastics

Total Medals: 15 (7 Gold, 5 Silver, 3 Bronze)
Years: 1972 – 1980

Nikolay Andrianov is one of the most decorated male gymnasts of all time, another face among the most successful Olympians in history. Competing for the Soviet Union, Andrianov won a total of 15 Olympic medals (7 gold, 5 silver, and 3 bronze) across three Olympic Games —1972 in Munich, 1976 in Montreal, and 1980 in Moscow.

Andrianov made his Olympic debut at the 1972 Munich Games when he was only 19 years old. He won his first Olympic gold medal in the floor exercise, silver in the team all-around, and bronze in the horse vault in that edition, the victories catapulting him to rising star status. The 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal was the height of his career, and he dominated the Game, winning seven medals in total. Among them, Adrianov won four gold medals for floor exercise, horse vault, rings, and individual all-around. He also won two silvers and a bronze for performances in parallel bars, team all-around, and pommel horse.

His final Olympic appearance was at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, where he became the first Olympian to win three straight vault gold medals. He also received two silvers and a bronze for floor exercise, individual all-around, and the horizontal bar.

Marit Bjørgen, Norway — Cross-country skiing

Total Medals: 15 (8 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze)
Years: 2002 – 2018

Marit Bjørgen is the most successful Winter Olympian of all time, with a record 15 Olympic medals in cross-country skiing, including 8 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze medals. Representing Norway, she dominated the sport over four Winter Olympic Games from 2002 to 2018.

Because she grew up in a region with an active skiing culture, Marit started skiing at a young age. Her Olympic debut came at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Although she did not win any medals in these Games, it set the stage for her future success. At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Bjørgen received her first Olympic medal: a silver medal in the 10 km classical race. Bjørgen later had her career breakthrough at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, winning five medals including three golds, one silver, and one bronze, cementing her position as the top contender in women’s cross-country skiing.

At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Bjørgen won three gold medals for her performance at the 15 km Skiathlon, 30 km Mass Start, and Team Sprint events, adding to her legendary reputation. Her final Olympic appearance was in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, where she delivered one of her most impressive performances of all time, winning five more medals: one gold in 30 km Mass Start, two silvers, and one bronze.

Larisa Latynina, Russia/U.S.S.R. — Gymnastics

Total Medals: 18 (9 Gold, 5 Silver, 4 Bronze)
Years: 1956 – 1964

Larisa Latynina is one of the most successful and renowned gymnasts in Olympic history. She won an incredible 18 Olympic medals for the Soviet Union, including 9 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze, across three Olympic Games: 1956 in Melbourne, 1960 in Rome, and 1964 in Tokyo.

Latynina made her Olympic debut at the 1956 Melbourne Games, quickly establishing herself as the world’s best female gymnast. At the age of 21, she won six medals, including four golds, one silver, and one bronze for the individual and team all-around events, floor exercise, and vault competitions. Latynina maintained her gymnastic domination at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, winning three gold medals in the floor exercise, individual all-around, and team all-around events. The Olympic athlete also earned two silver medals for the vault and uneven bars events, as well as a bronze in the balancing beam event.

Latynina made her final appearance at the 1964 Tokyo Games, where she won six additional medals: two gold medals for the team all-around and floor exercise events, two silvers in the individual all-around and vault events, and two bronze medals in the balancing beam and uneven bars events.

Michael Phelps, United States — Swimming

Total Medals: 28 (23 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze)
Years: 2004 – 2016

Michael Phelps is largely considered the greatest swimmer and one of the best athletes in Olympic history. From 2000 to 2016, Phelps competed for the United States and won 28 Olympic medals, including 23 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze across five Olympic Games.

Phelps began honing his abilities from a young age, and by ten, he had set a national record for his age group. His swift development as a swimmer contributed to his qualification for the 2000 Sydney Olympics at the age of 15, making him the youngest male to make the United States Olympic swim team in nearly seven decades. Despite not winning any medals at the Games, he proved his potential as a future star.

Phelp’s swimming domination reached new heights at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he won an incredible eight medals including six golds and two bronzes, making him one of the most successful athletes in the Games. Phelps’ career later peaked at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he won eight gold medals, breaking the record previously held by Olympic swimmer Mark Spitz and becoming the only athlete to do so. Phelps’ eight gold medals in Beijing made him one of the most successful Olympians of all time, and his performance is widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements in the history of sports.

After a brief hiatus, Phelps returned to participate in the 2012 London Olympics, where he won six more medals, including four golds and two silver. He also announced his retirement after the event. However, in a surprise twist, Phelps returned for the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he won five more medals including four golds and one silver.

(Main and featured image: Michael Phelps/Instagram)