15 greatest Olympians to appear on a Wheaties box

1. Michael Phelps , Swimming

There really is no discussion when it comes to the greatest Olympian to appear on a Wheaties box: legendary swimmer Michael Phelps.

Phelps has made a strong case as the greatest Olympian of all-time, and he is not done competing yet. He is already the most decorated athlete in the history of the games with 18 gold medals and 22 medals overall. To illustrate just how far away Phelps stands in this area, no other Olympian has a double-digit gold medal count.

And as Phelps gears up for what will be his final Olympics at Rio 2016, he has already managed to accomplish a career-first with his appointment as one of six team captains for the 47-member United States Olympic Swim Team.

Phelps’ coming-out-party took place during the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. Although he did not reach the podium, he gained massive popularity for finishing fifth in the 200-meter butterfly as a 15-year-old. With a combined eight gold medals in international competition between then and the 2004 Athens Games, the hype continued to grow.

When the moment arrived, Phelps did not disappoint. He appeared in eight events and medaled in each, compiling six golds and a pair of bronze medals. He also set a total of four Olympic records, one of which was a world record in the 400 meters individual medley.

Beijing 2008 was an even more prolific showing from Phelps, as he set seven world records and claimed gold in all eight events that he participated in. He would claim a modest four gold medals with one silver at the 2012 Summer Games in London.

Phelps has appeared on a Wheaties Box cover twice, in 2004 and 2012, and could make a third appearance with a successful trip to Rio this summer.