50 greatest Summer Olympians in history
By John Buhler
43. Vitaly Scherbo, Gymnastics.
A 10-time medalist (six gold, four bronze) who competed for two different countries in gymnastics, Vitaly Scherbo’s Olympic career was one for the record books.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Scherbo starred in the ’92 Games for The Unified Teams, winning all six of his golds in Barcelona (in the team, all-around, pommel horse, rings, vault, and parallel bars).
Four years later in Atlanta, where he was able to compete for his new home country of Belarus, Scherbo snagged four more bronzes (in the all-around, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bars).
Though he was considered an overwhelming favorite in ’96, Scherbo competed despite his wife having been involved in a near-fatal car accident just months before. Scherbo’s four bronze medals in Atlanta only added to his legend — all of which was written before his 25th birthday.
Next: 42. Teresa Edwards.