Top 12 Athletes with Most Olympic Gold Medals
This ranking lists athletes with the most Olympic gold medals in Summer and Winter Games history, with data updated through the 2024 Paris Olympics. Rankings are based on total gold medals from individual and team events, reflecting dominance and sustained excellence at the highest level of sport.
Interesting Facts & Summary
In the annals of Olympic history, Michael Phelps stands in a league of his own, possessing a dominance often described as "extraterrestrial." With a career total of 23 gold medals, he doesn't just top the list; he eclipses entire nations. If Phelps were a country, his gold medal tally would rank higher than that of over 160 nations in Summer Olympic history.
To put his achievement into perspective, even the legends following him on this list—such as Larisa Latynina with her 9 golds—would struggle to match his record even if their totals were combined. Spanning from Athens 2004 to Rio 2016, the "Baltimore Bullet's" reign created a sporting pinnacle that is likely to remain untouched for generations.
| Rank | Athlete | Gold Medals | Nation/Sport/Olympics |
|---|---|---|---|
Michael Phelps | 23 | USA/Swimming/2000-2016 (5 Olympics) | |
Larisa Latynina | 9 | USSR/Gymnastics/1956-1964 (3 Olympics) | |
Paavo Nurmi | 9 | Finland/Athletics/1920-1928 (3 Olympics) | |
| 4 | Mark Spitz | 9 | USA/Swimming/1968-1972 (2 Olympics) |
| 5 | Carl Lewis | 9 | USA/Athletics/1984-1996 (4 Olympics) |
| 6 | Ma Long | 8 | China/Table Tennis/2012-2024 (4 Olympics) |
| 7 | Bjørn Dæhlie | 8 | Norway/Cross-Country Skiing/1992-1998 (3 Olympics) |
| 8 | Jenny Thompson | 8 | USA/Swimming/1992-2004 (4 Olympics) |
| 9 | Matt Biondi | 8 | USA/Swimming/1984-1992 (3 Olympics) |
| 10 | Ray Ewry | 8 | USA/Athletics/1900-1908 (3 Olympics) |
| 11 | Katie Ledecky | 8 | USA/Swimming/2012-2024 (4 Olympics) |
| 12 | Sawao Kato | 8 | Japan/Gymnastics/1968-1976 (3 Olympics) |