How many gold medals has Michael Phelps won after Rio?

So how many gold medals has Michael Phelps won?

Michael Phelps exits the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio as the most decorated Olympian of all-time. He has 23 gold medals, which is a record. Phelps broke an ancient record by winning his 22nd gold medal, which was held by Leonidas from the Ancient Greece Olympics.

Let’s break down his 23 gold medals. Of Phelps’ 23 gold medals, he has won three of them at the 100 meter butterfly. Phelps won the event at the 2004 Olympics, 2008 Olympics, and 2012 Olympics. He nearly won a fourth in Rio, but he was forced to settle for a silver.

Phelps has won another three gold medals at 200 meter butterfly. Similar to his accolades at the 100 meter butterfly, he won at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. However, he finished second in 2012. Phelps got his revenge in Rio, reclaiming his rightful throne atop the 200 meter butterfly event.

He has achieved a sweep in the 200 meter individual medley, winning a gold medal in each of his four Olympics. Phelps is in extremely rare company by winning the same event in four different Olympics. He’s by himself because he has also won the 4×200 medley relay four times. Phelps is the lone athlete to win multiple events in four consecutive Olympics.

Four of his gold medals have come from swimming the butterfly portion of the 4×100 medley relay. This confirms that Phelps is without a doubt the best ever at the butterfly. Two more of his medals have come courtesy of the 400 meter medley in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.

Anyway you look at it, Phelps is the best swimmer of all-time. He has shattered records that no one thought could be beaten. No male athlete has shown dominance like Phelps. The scary part? Katie Ledecky could be even more dominant than him.

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