Medal count: Which American Olympians have the most medals all time?

5. Natalie Coughlin

Medal count: 12 (3 gold, 4 silver, 5 bronze)

Sport: Swimming

Games attended: 2004, 2008, 2012

Swimmer Natalie Coughlin is in a four-way tie for second place on the list of American Olympians with the highest medal count. Piling up a dozen medals, Coughlin reached the podium in all three Olympics she attended and was the first woman ever to win the 100 m backstroke at two consecutive Olympics.

Coughlin’s performance at the Beijing 2008 Olympics was historic but sadly overshadowed by Michael Phelps’ record-setting eight golds. In Beijing, Coughlin became the first American woman in modern Olympic history to win six medals at a single Games, collecting one gold, two silver, and three bronze.

The former California Golden Bear won 11 individual NCAA titles in her three years at Berkeley and was named NCAA Swimmer of the Year for all three years. She never formally retired after missing the Rio 2016 Olympics and even made a surprise appearance for the DC Trident in the International Swimming League’s inaugural season back in 2019.

However, Coughlin has not competed for Team USA since 2013. Barring an unexpected comeback attempt in her early 40s, her impressive Olympic medal count will stay at 12.