Which swimmer has won the most Olympic medals? Full list of winners

Which swimmer has won the most Olympic medals? Full list of winners

Swimming is one of the most popular sports in the Olympics, with fans anxious to catch the performances of the pool’s superstars. Individual and team races consistently make the list of the most anticipated and talked-about events.

The sport enjoys immense popularity partly because of the legends it has produced at the Summer Games. Recently-retired Michael Phelps, for example, not only holds formidable records in swimming, he is the most decorated Olympian in all of history as well.

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Swimmers: All-time Olympic greats

In terms of number of medals, Phelps is ahead of everyone else by a mile. He reaped a total of 28 medals- 23 of them gold, three silver, and two bronze.

In second place on the men’s list is Mark Spitz with nine gold medals, one silver, and one bronze. At the third spot is Matt Biondi with eight gold medals, two silver, and one bronze. All three swimmers are from the United States.

Spitz’ and Biondi’s achievements also put them on the list of overall Olympic greats. Spitz’ nine-gold medal tally places him at second place in the list of all-time Olympic gold medalists, while Biondi’s eight qualifies him for third.

Female Olympic swimming medalists

Topping the list of female swimmers is Jenny Thompson, also from the US, with a total of 12 medals- eight gold, three silver, and one bronze. Thomson’s eight-gold medal haul also makes her third among all-time Olympic gold winners.

Now in second place is Katie Ledecky, with six gold medals and three silver, followed by Kirstin Otto of Germany and Amy Van Dyken, tied in third place with six gold medals. Krisztina Egerszegi of Hungary and Dana Vollmer of the US are locked in fourth place with five gold, one silver, and one bronze each.

Ledecky poised to set Olympic records

Prior to entering the Tokyo Games, Ledecky had five gold medals and one silver, but thus far she has added another gold medal and two silver medals to her accolades.

Ledecky won gold in the 1500-meter freestyle with a time of 15:37.34. Not far behind her was American swimmer Erica Sullivan, who took silver. Ledecky came into the race with determination and focus only an hour after not making it to the podium for the 200-meter race. This was a historical achievement, seeing as it was the first 1500-meter freestyle for women in the Olympics. Ledecky therefore not only won gold, but also holds a new Olympic record and a permanent place in the record books.

Here are the top 15 male and female Olympic medal winners in swimming.

MEN

Michael Phelps 23 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze (28)

Mark Spitz 9 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze (11)

Matt Biondi 8 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze (11)

Ryan Lochte 6 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze (12)

Gary Hall Jr. 5 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze (10)

Ian Thorpe 5 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze (9)

Aaron Peirsol 5 gold, 2 silver (7)

Nathan Adrian 5 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze (8)

Tom Jager 5 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze (7)

Don Schollander 5 gold, 1 silver (6)

Johnny Weissmuller 5 gold (5)

Alexander Popov 4 gold, 5 silver (9)

Roland Matthes 4 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze (8)

Jason Lezak 4 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze (8)

Matt Grevers 4 gold, 2 silver (6)

WOMEN

Jenny Thompson 8 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze (12)

Katie Ledecky 6 gold, 3 silver (9)

Kristin Otto 6 gold (6)

Amy Van Dyken 6 gold (6)

Krisztina Egerszegi 5 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze (7)

Dana Vollmer 5 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze (7)

Missy Franklin 5 gold, 1 bronze (6)

Dara Torres 4 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze (12)

Dawn Fraser 4 gold, 4 silver (8)

Kornelia Ender 4 gold, 4 silver (8)

Allison Schmitt 4 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze (10)

Inge de Bruin 4 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze (8)

Libby Trickett 4 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze (7)

Janet Evans 4 gold, 1 silver (5)

Yana Klochkova 4 gold, 1 silver (5)