Fansided

50 greatest Summer Olympians in history

By John Buhler

Nov 22, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; A detailed view of the American flag during the national anthem prior to the Thanksgiving day game between the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; A detailed view of the American flag during the national anthem prior to the Thanksgiving day game between the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
47 of 51
Next

5. Nikolai Andrianov, Gymnastics.

Upon his retirement shortly after the 1980 Moscow Games, Soviet gymnast Nikolai Andrianov was the most decorated Summer Olympian in history, having won 15 medals (seven gold, five silver, and three bronze) over the course of three Olympiads. Today, Andrianov’s mark is surpassed by just two people: Larisa Latynina (18) and Michael Phelps (22).

At the 1972 Munich Games, Andrianov won gold in the floor exercise, took home silver in the team competition, and earned the bronze in the vault. His performance only improved In Montreal, where Andrianov would win seven medals, taking home gold in the all-around, floor exercise, rings, and vault; silver in the team competition and the parallel bars; and bronze in the pommel horse.

Andrianov would close out his incendiary career with five more medals in Moscow: gold in the team competition and the vault; silver in the all-around and floor exercise; and bronze in the horizontal bar. Andrianov would pass away in 2011 at the age of 58 from a debilitating neurological disorder.

Next: 4. Sawao Kato.

Home/Olympics