Question: which individual has won the most olympic medals in their lifetime
Answer: Athlete Nation Sport Years Games Gender Gold Silver Bronze Total Phelps , Michael Michael Phelps United States Swimming 2004 -- 2016 Summer 23 28 Latynina , Larisa Larisa Latynina Soviet Union Gymnastics 1956 -- 1964 Summer 9 5 18 Nurmi , Paavo Paavo Nurmi Finland Athletics 1920 -- 1928 Summer 9 0 12 Spitz , Mark Mark Spitz United States Swimming 1968 -- 1972 Summer 9 11 5 Lewis , Carl Carl Lewis United States Athletics 1984 -- 1996 Summer 9 0 10 6 Bjørndalen , Ole Einar Ole Einar Bjørndalen Norway Biathlon 1998 -- 2014 Winter 8 13 7 Dæhlie , Bjørn Bjørn Dæhlie Norway Cross-country skiing 1992 -- 1998