50 greatest Summer Olympians in history
By John Buhler
11. Vera Caslavska, Gymnastics.
Czechoslovakian gymnast Vera Caslavska won 11 medals over the course of three Summer Olympics: 1960 in Rome, 1964 in Tokyo, and in 1968 in Mexico City.
All seven of Caslavska’s golds came in individual events, which still stands as an Olympic record. Meanwhile, she and Soviet Union’s Larisa Latynina are the only two female gymnasts to win the all-around in back-to-back Summer Olympiads.
Caslavska is also the most decorated Czech Olympian of all time, having won gold three times in Tokyo (individual all-around, vault, and balance beam) and four in Mexico City (individual all-around, vault, uneven bars, and floor).
Caslavska helped Czechoslovakia capture Olympic silver in the team competition in 1960, 1964, and 1968, while winning silver on the balance beam in Mexico City. Though she never won Olympic gold in the team competition, her dominance in individual competition easily makes her a top-flight all-time Summer Olympian.
Next: 10. Jesse Owens.