Top 10 Athletes with the Most Olympic Medals Ever – List and Details

The Olympics are rich in history, culture and stories that are seasoned with determination, inspiration and resilience. The infamous Olympic medals – Gold, Silver and Bronze are considered the highest level of achievement at the Games and players around the world hustle and work hard for it for years. 

Etching your name with an Olympic medal is the epitome of athletic excellence regardless of the nation as the entire world tunes in to see some of the best of the games participate for glory. Apart from the materialistic aspect of earning a medal at the Olympics, athletes are remembered for their remarkable personality, grit and legendary stories in achieving the medals. 

Beginning from an Olive wreath in ancient Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics to the modern day medals, the physicality and the specifications of the medals have changed, but the glory remains. 

Top 10 Athletes with the Most Olympic Medals in History

RankAthleteNation SportYearsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1Michael PhelpsUSASwimming2004–2016233228
2Larisa LatyninaUSSRGymnastics1956–196495418
3Marit BjørgenNorway (Winter)Cross-country skiing2002–201884315
4Nikolai AndrianovUSSRGymnastics1972–198075315
5Ole Einar BjørndalenNorway (Winter)Biathlon1998–201484113
6Boris ShakhlinUSSRGymnastics1956–196474213
7Edoardo MangiarottiItalyFencing1936–196065213
8Ireen WüstNetherlands (Winter)Speed skating2006–202265213
9Takashi OnoJapanGymnastics1952–196454413
10Paavo NurmiFinlandAthletics (long/middle dist)1920–192893012
Vinodhini

A Journalism and Communication graduate who is ever curious and comprehensive about the happenings of the nation. Interested in knowing and breaking down regular news and updates in entertainment, sports, travel and current affairs, has an eye for detail and research from multiple perspectives.

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