Fansided

The greatest Olympic athlete from every U.S. state

By Adam Strangis

16th October 1964: Alfred A Oerter, American winner of the Gold Medal in the Tokyo Olympics 1964 for Discus throwing. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
16th October 1964: Alfred A Oerter, American winner of the Gold Medal in the Tokyo Olympics 1964 for Discus throwing. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
42 of 49
Next
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – DECEMBER 07: Michael Phelps reacts during a visit to Argentina at El Rosedal Park on December 07, 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – DECEMBER 07: Michael Phelps reacts during a visit to Argentina at El Rosedal Park on December 07, 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images) /

Maryland: Michael Phelps

Sport: Swimming

Olympics: Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016

If this list was somehow being listed as number one through 50, Michael Phelps would likely be the number one athlete. There is no question that he is the most successful Olympian to ever compete, as Phelps has taken home an astounding 23 gold medals. If that wasn’t good enough, he’s also won three silvers and two bronzes. Phelps is practically the entire record book for swimming at the Olympics. The greatest swimmer the world has ever seen holds the record for:

  • All-time medals
  • All-time gold medals
  • Gold medals in individual events
  • Medals in individual events
  • Set 39 world records (29 individual, 10 relay)

He was only 15 at the time of his first Olympic Games when he finished fifth in the 200-meter butterfly. This motivated him on his path to be the most accomplished swimmer ever. In 2004, he took home a whopping eight medals, which matched the record for any Olympic Games. This was only setting the stage for the 2008 Games in Bejing when Phelps took home gold in all eight events he raced and set seven world records. It was a feat that has never been equaled at any point. He continued making winning medals look easy in the next two Games to bring his grand total to 28 medals. It’s easy to forget just how difficult it is to even qualify for the Olympics. Phelps has dominated four different Games in the way the world has never seen before and isn’t likely to see ever again. Phelps has likely seen the last of the Olympics, but his performances will always stand the test of time.

Honorable Mention: Dominique Dawes, gymnastics in Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000

Home/Olympics