Top 10 Swimmers of All Time - Waterworks Aquatics FAQ Top 10 Swimmers of All Time Every other week Waterworks Aquatics hosts a swim competition. Your children have the opportunity to compete against their classmates, striving to collect championship ribbons and beat their last time. From I.M. to freestyle and breaststroke children learn fundamentals in a fun competitive environment in our heated 25 yard pools. Hundreds of athletes practice day after day Â in order to one day compete in the Olympic games held every four years. There are several different idols and legends to look up to, so we decided to compile the top ten swimmers of all time. 1. Mark Spitz, born 1950 Mark Andrew Spitz (nicknamed Mark The Shark) has won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, an achievement surpassed only by Michael Phelps who won eight golds at the 2008 Olympics. Between 1968 and 1972, Spitz won nine Olympic golds plus a silver and a bronze, five Pan American golds, 31 US Amateur Athletic Union titles and eight US National Collegiate Athletic Association titles.

During those years, he set 33 world records. He was named World Swimmer of the Year in 1969, 1971 and 1972. Mark Spitz 2. Michael Phelps, born 1985 Michael Fred Phelps (nicknamed The Baltimore Bullet) has won 16 Olympic medalsâ€”six gold and two bronze at Athens in 2004, and eight gold at Beijing in 2008. In doing so he has twice equaled the record eight medals of any type at a single Olympics achieved by Soviet gymnast Alexander Dityatin at the 1980 Moscow Summer Games. His five golds in individual events tied the single Games record set by Eric Heiden in the 1980 Winter Olympics and equaled by Vitaly Scherbo at the 1992 Summer Games. Phelps holds the record for the most gold medals won in a single Olympics, his eight at the 2008 Beijing Games surpassed American swimmer Mark Spitzâ€™s seven-gold performance at Munich in 1972.

Phelps Olympic medal total is second only to the 18 Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina won over three Olympics, including nine gold. Phelpsâ€™s international titles and record breaking performances have earned him the World Swimmer of the Year Award six times and American Swimmer of the Year Award eight times. He has won a total of fifty-nine medals in major international competition, fifty gold, seven silver, and two bronze spanning the Olympics, the World, and the Pan Pacific Championships. Michael Phelps Â 3. Ian Thorpe, born 1982 Ian James Thorpe (nicknamed the Thorpedo and Thorpey) is a retired Australian freestyle swimmer. He has won five Olympic gold medals, the most won by any Australian, and, at the 2001 World Aquatics Championships, he became the first person to win six gold medals in one World Championship. In total, Thorpe has won eleven World Championship golds, the second-highest number of any swimmer. Thorpe was the first person to have been named Swimming World Swimmers of the Year four times, and was the Australian swimmer of the year from 1999 to 2003.

His athletic achievements made him one of Australiaâ€™s most popular athletes, and he was recognised as the Young Australian of the Year in 2000. Ian Thorpe 4. Aleksandr Popov, born 1971 Aleksandr Vladimirovich Popov is a Russian former Olympic gold-winning swimmer, widely regarded as one of the greatest sprint freestyle swimmers of all time. He holds four gold medals and five silver medals at the Olympic Games, six gold, four silver, and one bronze medal at the World Championship, and an impressive 21 gold, three silver, and two bronze medals at the European Championships. Aleksandr Popov 5. Pieter van den Hoogenband, born 1978 Pieter Cornelis Ruud Martijn van den Hoogenband (nicknamed The Flying Dutchman and Hoogie) is a Dutch former swimmer and a triple Olympic champion. He began competeing in the olympic games at the age of 18, and throughout his career achieved three gold, 10 silver, and four bronze olympic medals. Pieter van den Hoogenband 6.

Johnny Weissmuller, born 1904 â€“ died 1984 Johann Peter WeiÃŸmÃ¼ller was an Austro-Hungarian-born American swimmer and actor. Weissmuller was one of the worldâ€™s best swimmers in the 1920s, winning five Olympic gold medals and one bronze medal. He won fifty-two US National Championships and set sixty-seven world records. After his swimming career, he became the sixth actor to portray Tarzan in films, a role he played in twelve motion pictures. Dozens of other actors have also played Tarzan, but Weissmuller is by far the best known. His characterâ€™s distinctive, ululating Tarzan yell is still often used in films. Johnny Weissmuller 7. Grant Hackett, born 1980 Grant Hackett is an Australian former swimmer most famous for winning the menâ€™s 1500 metres freestyle race at both the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. This achievement has led him to be regarded as one of the greatest distance swimmers in history.

He also collected a gold medal in Sydney for swimming in the heats of the 4Ã—200 m freestyle relay. He is well regarded for his versatility, being the world record holder in the 1500 m and formerly in the 800 m freestyle, and 2nd and 4th in the 400 m and 200 m freestyle respectively. He has dominated the 1500 m event in the past decade, being undefeated in the event in finals from 1996 until the 2007 World Aquatics Championships. His four World Championship gold medals in the event make him the only swimmer to have won a world title in one event four times, and in total, he has won 10 World Championship gold medals. Grant Hackett 8. Krisztina Egerszegi, born 1974 Krisztina Egerszegi is a Hungarian former world record holding swimmer and one of the greatest Hungarian Olympic champions of the modern era.

She is a three time Olympian (1988, 1992 and 1996) and five time Olympic champion; and one of two individuals to have ever won the same swimming event at 3 consecutive Summer Olympics. Krisztina Egerszegi 9. Debbie Meyer, born 1952 Deborah Elizabeth Meyer is a former American swimmer who won the 200, 400, and 800 m swimming events at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. While still a 16-year old student at Rio Americano High School in Sacramento, California, she became the first swimmer to win three individual gold medals in one Olympics. Meyer is still the only woman Olympian to win three individual freestyle swimming gold medals in one Olympics, namely the 200-, 400- and 800-meter freestyle events. No swimmer has ever done this in any other combination of distances. Debbie Meyer 10. Kristin Otto, born 1966 Kristin Otto is a German Olympic swimming champion.

She is most famous for being the first woman to win six gold medals at the 1988 Seoul Olympic games.Â Otto was also the first woman to swim the short courseÂ 100 meter backstroke in under a minute, Â doing so at an international short course meet at Indiana UniversityÂ in 1983. Kristin Otto Top 10 Swimmers of All Time | entertainmentaroundtheworld Top 10 Swimmers of All Time Top Antoni Gaudi Works Top 10 Swimmers of All Time Note: This is a list from 2012 and is focused more on freestyle swimmers and multiple Olympic champions. I do not plan to update it. 1. Mark Spitz, born 1950 Mark Andrew Spitz (nicknamed Mark The Shark) is a retired American swimmer. He won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, an achievement surpassed only by Michael Phelps who won eight golds at the 2008 Olympics.

Between 1968 and 1972, Spitz won nine Olympic golds plus a silver and a bronze, five Pan American golds, 31 US Amateur Athletic Union titles and eight US National Collegiate Athletic Association titles. During those years, he set 33 world records. He was named World Swimmer of the Year in 1969, 1971 and 1972. 2. Michael Phelps, born 1985 Michael Fred Phelps II (born June 30, 1985) is an American competition swimmer and the most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 22 medals. Phelps also holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals (18, double the second highest record holders), Olympic gold medals in individual events (11), and Olympic medals in individual events for a male (13). In winning eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games, Phelps took the record for the most first-place finishes at any single Olympic Games. Five of those victories were in individual events, tying the single Games record.

In the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Phelps won four golds and two silver medals, making him the most successful athlete of the Games for the third Olympics in a row. Phelps is the long course world recordholder in the 100-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly and 400-meter individual medley as well as the former long course world recordholder in the 200-meter freestyle and 200-meter individual medley. He has won a total of 77 medals in major international long-course competition, totalling 61 gold, 13 silver, and 3 bronze spanning the Olympics, the World, and the Pan Pacific Championships. 3. Ian Thorpe, born 1982 Ian James Thorpe (nicknamed the Thorpedo and Thorpey) is a retired Australian freestyle swimmer. He has won five Olympic gold medals, the most won by any Australian, and, at the 2001 World Aquatics Championships, he became the first person to win six gold medals in one World Championship. In total, Thorpe has won eleven World Championship golds, the second-highest number of any swimmer.

Thorpe was the first person to have been named Swimming World Swimmers of the Year four times, and was the Australian swimmer of the year from 1999 to 2003. His athletic achievements made him one of Australia’s most popular athletes, and he was recognised as the Young Australian of the Year in 2000. 4. Aleksandr Popov, born 1971 Aleksandr Vladimirovich Popov is a Russian former Olympic gold-winning swimmer, widely regarded as one of the greatest sprint freestyle swimmers of all time. 5. Pieter van den Hoogenband, born 1978 Pieter Cornelis Ruud Martijn van den Hoogenband (nicknamed The Flying Dutchman and Hoogie) is a Dutch former swimmer and a triple Olympic champion. 6. Johnny Weissmuller, born 1904 – died 1984 Johann Peter Weißmüller was an Austro-Hungarian-born American swimmer and actor. Weissmuller was one of the world’s best swimmers in the 1920s, winning five Olympic gold medals and one bronze medal.

He won fifty-two US National Championships and set sixty-seven world records. After his swimming career, he became the sixth actor to portray Tarzan in films, a role he played in twelve motion pictures. Dozens of other actors have also played Tarzan, but Weissmuller is by far the best known. His character’s distinctive, ululating Tarzan yell is still often used in films. 7. Grant Hackett, born 1980 Grant Hackett is an Australian former swimmer most famous for winning the men’s 1500 metres freestyle race at both the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. This achievement has led him to be regarded as one of the greatest distance swimmers in history. He also collected a gold medal in Sydney for swimming in the heats of the 4×200 m freestyle relay. He is well regarded for his versatility, being the world record holder in the 1500 m and formerly in the 800 m freestyle, and 2nd and 4th in the 400 m and 200 m freestyle respectively.

He has dominated the 1500 m event in the past decade, being undefeated in the event in finals from 1996 until the 2007 World Aquatics Championships. His four World Championship gold medals in the event make him the only swimmer to have won a world title in one event four times, and in total, he has won 10 World Championship gold medals. 8. Krisztina Egerszegi, born 1974 Krisztina Egerszegi is a Hungarian former world record holding swimmer and one of the greatest Hungarian Olympic champions of the modern era. She is a three time Olympian (1988, 1992 and 1996) and five time Olympic champion; and one of two individuals to have ever won the same swimming event at 3 consecutive Summer Olympics. 9. Debbie Meyer, born 1952 Deborah Elizabeth Meyer is a former American swimmer who won the 200, 400, and 800 m swimming events at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

While still a 16-year old student at Rio Americano High School in Sacramento, California, she became the first swimmer to win three individual gold medals in one Olympics. 10. Kristin Otto, born 1966 Kristin Otto is a German Olympic swimming champion. She is most famous for being the first woman to win six gold medals at the 1988 Seoul Olympic games. Bonus: Matt Biondi, born 1965 Matthew Nicholas Biondi competed in the Summer Olympic Games in 1984, 1988 and 1992, winning a total of eleven medals (eight gold, two silver and one bronze). During his career, he set seven individual world records (three in the 50-meter freestyle and four in the 100-meter freestyle). At the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Biondi won five gold medals, setting world records in the 50-meter freestyle and three relay events. Bonus: Ian Murray Rose, born 1939 – died 2012 Iain Murray Rose was an Australian swimmer, actor, sports commentator and marketing executive.

He was a six-time Olympic medalist (four gold, one silver, one bronze), and at one time held the world records in the 400-metre, 800-metre, and 1500-metre freestyle (long course). He made his Olympic debut at the 1956 Summer Olympics as a 17-year-old and won three Olympic medals, all gold. Four years later, as a 21-year-old, he won three Olympic medals (one gold, one silver, one bronze) at the 1960 Summer Olympics. Source: Wikipedia Note: Thank you for your suggestions, they are welcome and will be included in the “Special mentions” category below. Special mentions: Michael PHELPS - Olympic Swimming | United States of America Michael PHELPS Olympic Games 2000 , 2004 , 2008 , 2012 , 2016 Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history.

The American swimmer ended his career after his fifth Games, in Rio in 2016, where at the age of 31 he won a further five gold medals and a silver, taking his tally to 23 Olympic titles and 28 medals! A record unlikely to be beaten any time soon. Diagnosed with Attention Deficit disorder, Phelps was directed towards swimming in 1992 at the age of just seven in order to provide him with an outlet for his unbounded energy. After that, his transformation into an unbeatable swimmer appeared inexorable, and he broke record after record as he rose through the age categories. The Baltimore Bullet’s first Olympic appearance came in 2000 in Sydney when he was chosen for the US swim team at the age of just 15 – the youngest American swimmer selected for a Games in almost 70 years. He failed to win a medal in Australia but it was clear that Sydney was just a learning experience and this was to prove no setback. A year later Phelps became the youngest male swimmer to break a world record with a win in the 400m freestyle at the 2001 World Aquatics Championship – a taste of future glory.

The next two years saw Phelps amass a haul of gold and silver medals at international swim meets and break numerous world records in the 200m and 400m individual medley races. His tally at the 2003 World Aquatic Championship of four golds and two silvers, along with five world records, set the scene for a thrilling performance at the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece. Phelps did not disappoint. In his first event, the 400-meter individual medley, hewon with a world record time of 4:08.26 to take his first Olympic gold medal. Though he lost out to Ian Thorpe in the 200m freestyle, the so-called “Race of the Century”, the following days saw the young American scoop gold in the 200m butterfly, the 4x200 freestyle relay, the 100m butterfly and the 4x100m medley. Six gold and two bronze medals meant Phelps had achieved the second-best performance at an Olympics Games – he was second only to the legendary swimmer of 1972, Mark Spitz.

Phelps’ home town duly named a street in his honour – The Michael Phelps Way. The Beijing masterstroke Come Beijing in 2008, following four years in which he won 17 World Championship gold medals, Phelps broke Spitz’s long-standing record. He won his eighth Olympic gold medal in the 4x100m medley relay – setting a new world record for good measure – with a little inspiration from Australian rival Ian Thorpe, who earlier declared such an achievement impossible. Phelps took note and stuck Thorpe’s statement on his locker. By the time London 2012 came round Phelps was, like Usain Bolt, a global star – a brand in his own right – and had even set up a foundation in his own name to promote healthy living and fitness for children. Having earlier announced his retirement, the world waited with bated breath to see if The Flying Fish could become the most decorated Olympian of all time. Despite some shocks at the Aquatics Centre – coming fourth in the 4x100m individual medley behind rising star Ryan Lochte and finishing second to Chad Le Clos of South Africa in the 200m butterfly – Phelps duly obliged.

A gold medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay, added to his 200m butterfly silver earlier that day, meant he had now surpassed Soviet-era gymnast Larisa Latynina’s record of 18 Olympic medals. He went on to win his fifth 200m individual medley gold – a competition record – and secure another first in what he said was his last-ever individual race, the 200m butterfly. Phelps rounded off his career in style as part of the winning USA team in the 4x100m medley relay, in front of an ecstatic crowd. It’s not clear what the Michael Phelps way will be from this point on, but with 22 Games medals to his name, including an astonishing 18 golds, his record as the most decorated Olympian of all time seems likely to last for at least the rest of his retirement. Retirement and a victorious comeback Phelps then announced that he was retiring. But the competition virus never left him, driving him to start training again in April 2014, with a view to competing at the Games in Rio.

He cleared the first hurdle easily, at the US trials in Omaha at the end of June 2016, where the man who was already the most successful Olympian of all time celebrated his 31st birthday by qualifying brilliantly for three individual distances and three relays. Thus did Michael Phelps find himself back in action at the Olympic Aquatics Centre in Barra de Tijuca. On 7 August, he played a decisive role in the second leg of the 4x100m freestyle relay, which saw the USA beat France and Australia. That made 19! On 9 August, Bob Bowman’s pupil won two new victories in the space of an hour: the 200m butterfly for the third time (after 2004 and 2008), and the 4x200m freestyle relay with the USA for the fourth time. So 20! And then 21! After the relay, he received a well-deserved ovation from the audience in the Olympic venue. Emerging from the water, Phelps sat on his starting block, shattered but satisfied. Aware of having become, in the space of an hour, one of the heroes of the Rio Games.

Better and better: on 11 August, Michel Phelps equalled the record of his compatriots, discus thrower Al Oerter and long jumper Carl Lewis, the only Olympians to win four consecutive victories in the same individual discipline, by winning the 200m medley for the fourth consecutive time. That made it 22! “This all started and began with one little dream as a kid to change the sport of swimming, try to do something nobody has ever done”, he said. The next day, he finished as joint silver medallist with his favourite rivals Chad Le Clos and Laszlo Cseh, behind the young swimmer from Singapore, Joseph Schooling, in the 100m butterfly. “Chad and I have raced each other quite a few times in the last four years, and as for Laszlo and me... I can’t even remember the first time we competed against each other”, was his reaction. “So it’s kind of special, and a great way for me to finish my last individual race.” So 27 medals! The end came on 13 August, with a highly appropriate team victory!

The US won the 4x100m medley, with Phelps making a brilliant contribution with his two lengths of butterfly. And a final total of 23 titles and 28 medals! “Being able to close the door on this sport how I wanted to — that’s why I’m happy now”, Phelps said after winning five more Olympic gold medals and a silver, in the Carioca pool. “I was a little kid with a dream, which turned into a couple of medals. Just being able to finish this way is special because now I’m able to start the next chapter in my life.” Mark Spitz - Swimmer, Athlete - Biography.com Mark Spitz American swimmer Mark Spitz set a world record at the 1972 Olympic Games, when he won seven gold medals across individual and team events. IN THESE GROUPS Famous People Born in 1950 Synopsis Born in Modesto, California in 1950, Mark Spitz swam competitively in college for Indiana University before training for the Olympics.

Spitz competed at both the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games, and in 1972, he set a world record for the most gold medals received during a single Olympic Games. He won seven gold medals that year, across individual and team events. Spitz's record was broken by American swimmer Michael Phelps at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, held in Beijing; Phelps won eight gold medals in 2008 and continues to hold the record for most gold medals won in a single Olympics, as well as the record for the most Olympic medals won. Early Years and Competitions Mark Andrew Spitz was born into a Jewish family in Modesto, California, on February 10, 1950. After moving to Hawaii at age 2, he learned how to swim from his father, Arnold. The young Spitz took to the water like a fish, swimming nearly every day at Waikiki Beach. The family returned to California after four years in Hawaii, and Spitz soon began competitive swimming. By age 9, he was training at the Arden Hills Swim Club in Sacramento under Sherm Chavoor, a famed instructor who would become a lifelong mentor.

At 10, Spitz was already on track for Olympic success. He held 17 national age-group records and one world mark, and was named the world’s best 10-and-under swimmer. Spitz won the first of 24 AAU titles in 1966, and the following year he captured five gold medals at the Pan-American Games in Winnipeg, Canada. Olympic Stardom Spitz entered the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City brimming with confidence, even going so far as to predict he’d win six gold medals. He did win two golds, but both came in team events; he collected a silver in the 100-meter butterfly and bronze in the 100-meter freestyle. Following the disappointment in Mexico City, Spitz enrolled at Indiana University. He earned a pre-dental degree and brought a renewed focus to his swimming, racking up more first-place finishes and additional world records. Spitz was better prepared for the competition at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, West Germany, and this time he lived up to his lofty standards.

Wearing what would become the Games’ most famous mustache, Spitz claimed a record seven gold medals across individual and team competitions, with all seven times setting world records. Not everybody was thrilled with his success, however, as the swimmer irritated both teammates and opponents with his cockiness. Spitz’s triumphs became a sidebar in the wake of the kidnapping and murder of 11 Israeli Olympic team members by Palestinian terrorists. With officials concerned for the safety of Spitz, he was quickly escorted out of West Germany before the close of the Olympics. Post-Olympic and Personal Life Just days after the Munich Games, Spitz announced his retirement. But instead of going to dental school and fading from memory, he managed to leverage his success into lucrative commercial opportunities. In 1973, he married a UCLA theater student and part-time model named Suzy Weiner, with whom he had two sons. Spitz had earned $6 million through endorsements and other deals by 1974. However, a strong push to make it in Hollywood never panned out, as the swimming great was criticized for his acting ability. Spitz eventually settled into life in Los Angeles and started a successful real estate company in Beverly Hills.

He also became a popular motivational speaker. In the early 1990s, Spitz attempted to make a comeback by competing for a spot on the U.S. Olympic swimming team, but he failed to qualify. His seven golds in a single Olympics remained a record until 2008, when American swimmer Michael Phelps surpassed him by winning eight events. Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us ! Citation Information 43 Facts About Michael Phelps - The Greatest Swimmer To Have Represented USA : People : BOOMSbeat 43 Facts About Michael Phelps - The Greatest Swimmer To Have Represented USA 43 Facts About Michael Phelps - The Greatest Swimmer To Have Represented USA Nov 29, 2015 06:44 PM EST NEXT POST Michael Fred Phelps II is an American competition swimmer and the most decorated Olympian of all time, with 22 medals in three Olympiads and a total of 39 world records.

Here are 43 facts about the greatest swimmer (Photo : Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Michael Phelps speaks at a press conference following practice for the Arena Grand Prix at the Skyline Aquatic Center on April 23, 2014 in Mesa, Arizona. He is the most decorated Olympic swimmer of all time with total of twenty two medals. Phelps is the world record holder in 100 and 200 meter butterfly, 400 meter individual medley, 200 meter freestyle and 200 meter individual medley. Phelps was born on June 30, 1985 in Rodger Forge, of Towson, Maryland. He studied in Dumbarton Middle School and Towson High School. He is the youngest of three children to ‘Deborah Sue’ and ‘Michael Fred Phelps’. His mother is a middle school principal and his father a retired Maryland state trooper. As a ‘attention deficit hyperactive disorder’ (ADHD) child, at the age of seven, he was introduced to swimming as an outlet for his energy.

(Photo : Chris Hyde/Getty Images) Michael Phelps of the USA looks on after swimming the Men's 100m Freestyle heats during day two of the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships at Gold Coast Aquatics on August 22, 2014 in Gold Coast, Australia. His sister was a great influence in his early swimming days and by the age of ten he held a national record in his age group. He was first coached by ‘Bob Bowman’ of ‘North Baltimore Aquatic Club’ culminating in to many more records in his age group. Phelps at the age of 15 qualified for the ‘2000 Summer Olympics’ to become the youngest male to qualify for the U.S swimming team in 68 years. He finished fifth in the 200 meter butterfly. At the age of 15 years and 9 months he became the youngest to set a swimming world record, in the 200 meter butterfly trials for the ‘2001 world aquatics championship.’ At ‘Fukuoka, Japan’ in the world aquatic championship, he broke his own world record in the 200 meter butterfly to win his first world championship.

(Photo : Chris Hyde/Getty Images) Michael Phelps speaks to media during the Team USA squad press conference at the Gold Coast Aquatics Centre on August 20, 2014 in Gold Coast, Australia. Phelps had the advantage of extra 15 degree rotation in his feet, than a normal, to go along with size 14 feet and 6 feet 7 inch reach. At the ‘2002 Pan Pacific Swimming Championship,’ Phelps won three gold and two silvers. On the way to gold in the 4x100 meter medley relay, his time of 51.13 was the fastest at that time. He became the first American to win three different races in three different strokes at the ‘2003 National Championship.’ He won the 200 meter Freestyle, 200 meter Backstroke and the 100 meter Butterfly. When Phelps began swimming, he was scared to swim under water. His coach allowed him to swim on his back, which turned out to be the first strokes he mastered. In the ‘2003 World Aquatics Championships,’ Phelps won four gold and two silver medals.

The 4x100 meter medley relay gold was awarded to him in spite of not swimming in the final, as he swam the heats. (Photo : FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/GettyImages) US swimmer Michael Phelps kisses his gold medal after winning the men's 4x100 medley relay final during the swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 4, 2012 in London. Phelps brought his Olympic swimming career to a close in style, winning a record 18th gold medal as the United States stormed to victory in the 4x100m medley relay. In the ‘2004 U.S Olympic Team Trials,’ Phelps became the first person to qualify in the U.S Olympic team, in six individual events. On his way to first Olympic gold during ‘2004 Summer Olympic Games’ at Athens, He set a world record with the time of 4:08.26, in the 400 meters individual medley. Billed as ‘The Race of the Century,’ the 200 meters freestyle event was closely contested.

Phelps was not disappointed in spite of finishing third behind, ‘Ian Thorpe’ and ‘Pieter Van Den Hoogenband.’ Phelps four individual Gold medals in the ‘2004 Olympic Games’ was the most in a single Games, tying with ‘Mark Spitz’ record set in 1972 games. Weeks before his glory at 2004 Olympics, he was arrested at Salisbury, Maryland for drunken driving. Phelps was upset for letting his family and himself down. In the ‘2005 World Aquatics Championships’ held at Montreal, Canada, Phelps decorated himself with five gold and one silver. In February 2009, when a photo of Phelps with a water pipe, used for smoking marijuana was published, he lost his sponsorship deal with ‘Kellogg Company.’ On November 19, 2015 Phelps announced his engagement to his long time girl friend, Nicole Johnson the former Miss California. They used this occasion to announce the arrival of their first child in February. Phelps set three new world records out of the six set in the ‘2006 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships’ held at Victoria, Canada.

When Phelps, won seven gold medals with five world records in the ‘2007 World Aquatic Championship,’ his time of 48:42 seconds in the 4x100 freestyle, was faster than the time set in the individual 100 meter freestyle finals. Phelps set an all time record of winning eight gold medals in a single Olympic Games at Beijing ‘2008 Summer Olympic,’ beating the record set by ‘Mark Spitz’ set in 1972 Olympics. Along with glittering swimming career, Phelps wrote two books, Beneath the Surface: My Story and The Will to Succeed. (Photo : Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Michael Phelps competes in the Men's 100m Butterfly final during day one of the Arena Grand Prix at the Skyline Aquatic Center on April 24, 2014 in Mesa, Arizona. When Paul Biedermann beat Phelps in the 200 meter freestyle at ‘2009 World Aquatic Championship,’ it was attributed to polyurethane swimsuit. This prompted rule change to be passed by ‘FINA’s Technical Swimming Committee’ in use of suit’s by swimmers.

Phelps training schedules of practice twice a day, six days a week amounts to 80,000 meters of swim. This is equal to 50 miles. To overcome boredom, he listens to music while swimming with waterproof headphone. In qualifying for the ‘2012 Summer Olympics,’ Phelps set the record for most Olympic appearance by men in swimming representing the United States. At ‘2012 Summer Olympic’ London, when Phelps was placed fourth in the 400-meter individual medley, he failed to win a medal for the first time since 2000 Olympics. At the 2012, London Olympic ‘FINA’ honored Phelps, as the most decorated Olympian ever. He won 4 gold 2 silver medals at the London Olympics to take his tally to 18 gold and 22 overall medals. After his retirement in the year 2012, he returned to competitive swimming, in May, 2014 and won the 100-meter butterfly events at the ‘Arena Grand Prix,’ in Charlotte, North Carolina. When Phelps was arrested for drunken and speeding charges in September 2014, USA Swimming suspended him for six months.

He was not considered for the ‘2015 World Aquatics Championship’ (Photo : Rafael Neddermeyer/Getty Images) Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps attends a Subway press conference to promote healthy living and lifestyle among childrenon December 04, 2013 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Phelps had signed up for ‘Project Believe’ with ‘United States Anti-Doping Agency’ as a volunteer to be tested in excess of Anti-Doping guidelines. As a teenager Phelps idolized the Australian swimmer ‘Ian Thorpe.’ Phelps was awarded seven times ‘World Swimmer of the Year’ and nine times ‘American Swimmer of the Year Award. As an honor for his achievements, a street in his home town, Baltimore, was named after him ‘The Michael Phelps way.’ In the year 2008 Phelps set up a ‘Michael Phelps Foundation’ to promote sport of swimming and healthier life style.

On April, 2009, Phelps was invited to address the ‘Maryland General Assembly.’ (Photo : Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Michael Phelps speaks at a press conference after competing in the Men's 50m Freestyle prelim during day two of the Arena Grand Prix at the Skyline Aquatic Center on April 25, 2014 in Mesa, Arizona. Phelps was awarded the first ever winner of ‘Laureus Exceptional Achievement Awards,’ in the year 2013. In 2008 Beijing Olympic, Phelps won the 100-meter butterfly finals against ‘ Milorad Cavic.’ Omega the official time keeper refused to release the underwater images to determine the winner, drawing attention to Phelps endorsement with Omega. Phelps has set more records than any other swimmers, with 39 world records. He surpassed the records set by ‘Mark Spitz.’ Michael Phelps Bio, Stats, and Results | Olympics at Sports-Reference.com Medals: 18 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze (22 Total) Biography Michael Phelps' performances at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics have brought him strong consideration as the greatest ever Olympian.

He has surpassed the records of [Mark Spitz] and [Johnny Weissmuller] and is considered the greatest swimmer ever. Phelps swims several strokes, including butterfly and freestyle, but his best events are the individual medleys. At the 2004 Olympic Games, Michael Phelps became only the second athlete, after [Aleksandr Dityatin] (URS-GYM-1980) to win eight medals at a single Olympics, and he repeatd this in 2008 at Beijing. Phelps had attempted to win gold medals in eight swimming events in 2004, to better Mark Spitz's performance at München. Phelps did not manage that but did win six gold medals (four individual) and two bronze medals. He followed this with a dominating performance at the 2005 World Championships at which he won five gold medals and a silver medal. He had also won five World Championship gold medals at the 2003 meet. Phelps not only did not stop competing but pushed his records even further.

At the 2007 World Championships he entered eight events and won seven gold medals, losing out on the eighth in the 4×100 medley relay, when the USA was disqualified in an early round heat in which he had sat out. He seemed poised to challenge Spitz's 1972 mark of seven gold medals. At Beijing Phelps again entered eight events and this time he came thru with a victory in all eight, becoming the first Olympian to win eight gold medals at one Olympic Games. After Beijing, Phelps took some time off and did not train as hard for a time, but he still won five gold medals and six medals at the 2009 World Championships. He won another five golds at the 2010 Pan-Pacs, and in 2011, won four gold medals and seven medals at the Worlds, setting him up for the 2012 Olympics, and giving him a total of 33 medals and 26 gold medals at the World Championships. At London in 2012, Phelps cemented his title as the world's greatest swimmer and, to many people, as the world's greatest Olympian.

He won four more gold medals and six medals, but actually failed to medal in one event in 2012, placing fourth in the 400 IM. His six medals in 2012 left him with absolute Olympic records of 22 medals and 18 gold medals. Phelps then announced his retirement, although in 2013 he has hedged that a bit, and suggested he may return to the pool for further competition. Results Michael Phelps - Swimmer, Athlete - Biography.com Michael Phelps Swimmer Michael Phelps has set the record for winning the most medals, 28, of any Olympic athlete in history.

IN THESE GROUPS “Records are always made to be broken no matter what they are.” “Anybody can do anything that they set their mind to.” “Dream as big as you can dream and anything is possible.” “It goes to show you that not only is this guy the greatest swimmer of all time and the greatest Olympian of all time, he's maybe the greatest athlete of all time.” “I'll make a million mistakes in my life but as long as I never make the same mistake again, then I've been able to learn and grow.” “You’re going to have bumps in the road. It all depends on how you deal with those bumps. If you want something bad enough, you’re not going to give up until you get it.” “I finished my career the way I wanted to. I think that's pretty cool.” “I don't want to put a limit on anything. The more you dream the more you achieve.” “I feel most at home in the water. I disappear. That's where I belong.” “Everything I've done, I've been able to learn from - mistakes I've made in the pool, mistakes I've made out of the pool. That's how I've grown up.

They haven't always been good times but I've learned from them.” “I hate to lose. I despise it.” “Throughout my career I've been all over the world, but all I've seen have been hotels and swimming pools. So once I retire I want to travel and see what places are really about.” Michael Phelps Michael Phelps - Mini Biography (TV-14; 4:14) A short biography of Michael Phelps who became the first athlete to win eight gold medals in a single Olympics at the Beijing Games. Synopsis Born on June 30, 1985, in Baltimore, Maryland, Michael Phelps competed in his first Olympics at the age of 15, as part of the U.S. men's swim team. He went on to win medals at the Olympic Summer Games in Athens, Beijing, London and Rio, accumulating a total of 28 medals—23 gold, three silver and two bronze—and setting the record for the most medal wins by any Olympic athlete. Phelps announced his retirement in 2012, however, in April 2014, he announced he was coming out of retirement and would return to professional competition at the age of 28.

In June 2016, he clinched his spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic swim team, making him the first American male swimmer to earn a spot on five Olympic teams. At the 2016 Olympic Games, he won one silver and five gold medals, becoming the oldest individual gold medalist in Olympic swimming history, as well as the first swimmer to win four consecutive golds in the same event, the 200-meter individual medley. Early Life Michael Fred Phelps was born on June 30, 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland, to Fred and Debbie Phelps. The youngest of three children, Michael Phelps and his sisters grew up in the neighborhood of Rodgers Forge. His father, Fred, an all-around athlete, was a state trooper; mother Debbie was a middle-school principal. When Phelps's parents divorced in 1994, he and his siblings live with their mother, with whom Michael grew very close. Phelps began swimming when his two older sisters, Whitney (born in 1978) and Hilary (born in 1980), joined a local swim team. Whitney tried out for the U.S.

Olympic team in 1996, at the age of 15, but injuries derailed her career. At age 7, Phelps was still "a little scared" to put his head under water, so his instructors allowed him to float around on his back. Not surprisingly, the first stroke he mastered was the backstroke. After he saw swimmers Tom Malchow and Tom Dolan compete at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, Phelps began to dream of becoming a champion. He launched his swimming career at the Loyola High School pool. He met his coach, Bob Bowman, when he started training at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club at the Meadowbrook Aquatic and Fitness Center. The coach immediately recognized Phelps's talents and fierce sense of competition and began an intense training regime together. By 1999, Phelps had made the U.S. National B Team. At the age of 15, Phelps became the youngest American male swimmer to compete at an Olympic Games in 68 years. While he didn't win a medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, he would soon become a major force in competitive swimming.

World-Renowned Olympic Medalist In the spring of 2001, Phelps set the world record in the 200-meter butterfly, becoming the youngest male swimmer in history (at 15 years and 9 months) to ever set a world swimming record. He then broke his own record at the 2001 World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, with a time of 1:54:58, earning his first international medal. Phelps continued to set new marks at the 2002 U.S. Summer Nationals in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, establishing a new world record for the 400-meter individual medley, and U.S. records in the 100-meter butterfly and the 200-meter individual medley. The following year, at the same event, he broke his own world record in the 400-meter individual medley with a time of 4:09.09.

Shortly after graduating from Towson in 2003, 17-year-old Phelps set five world records, including the 200-meter individual medley at the World Championships in Barcelona, Spain, with a time of 1:56:04. Then during the U.S. trials for the 2004 Summer Olympics, he broke his own world again in the 400 meter individual medley, with a time of 4:08:41. Phelps became a superstar at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, winning eight medals (including six gold), tying with Soviet gymnast Aleksandr Dityatin (1980) for the most medals in a single Olympic Games. Phelps scored the first of six gold medals on August 14, when he broke his own world record in the 400-meter individual medley, shaving 0.15 seconds off of his previous mark. He also won gold in the 100-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter individual medley, 4-by-200-meter freestyle relay and 4-by-100-meter medley relay).

The two events in Athens, in which Phelps took bronze medals, were 200-meter freestyle and the 4-by-100-meter freestyle relay. Just weeks following his triumph in Athens, Phelps was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Salisbury, Maryland, after cruising through a stop sign. He pleaded guilty to driving while impaired, was sentenced to 18 months probation, fined $250, ordered to speak against drinking and driving to high school students, and ordered to attend a Mothers Against Drunk Driving meeting. Michael called it an "isolated incident," but admitted to letting himself and his family down. Phelps soon followed coach Bowman to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, studying sports marketing and management. Bowman coached the Wolverines' swim team and guided Club Wolverine, of which Phelps was once a member. Phelps continued to establish world records at the 2006 Pan Pacific Championships in Victoria, British Columbia, and the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia.

At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Phelps won gold in the 4-by-100-meter medley relay, 4-by-100-meter freestyle relay, 200-meter freestyle, 200-meter butterfly, 4-by-200-meter freestyle relay, 200-meter individual medley and 100-meter butterfly. Every gold medal performance set a new world record, except the 100-meter butterfly, which set an Olympic record. Phelps also set the all-time single Olympics gold-medal record, surpassing swimmer Mark Spitz's 1972 record of seven golds; he had won his 14th career gold medal, the most gold won by any Olympian. In 2012, Phelps's Olympic medal count increased to 22, setting a new record for most Olympic medals (beating gymnast Larisa Latynina's prior record of 18).

At the 2012 Olympic Games, held in London, he won four gold medals, in the 4-by-200-meter freestyle relay, 200-meter individual medley, 100-meter butterfly and 4-by-100-meter medley relay; and two silver medals, in the 4-by-100-meter freestyle relay and 200-meter butterfly. Phelps also holds the record for the most gold medals won in a single Olympics (eight gold medals at Beijing in 2008). After the London Olympics, Phelps announced he was retiring from his sport. Phelps, however, gave some indication of a possible return in July 2013. The stellar swimmer would not rule out a possible Olympic bid for the 2016 summer games in Rio de Janeiro. In April 2014, Phelps put the retirement rumors to rest and announced he made plans to compete at the Mesa Grand Prix in Arizona. The sports world continued to speculate whether Phelps would compete in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio. His longtime coach Bob Bowman told the Washington Post: “I don’t know yet.

Honestly, we’re kind of taking it day by day. I don’t think either one of us has real expectations other than to have fun, see what happens and go from there. Unlike previous years, there’s no long-term plan.” While he did compete at the Mesa Grand Prix, Phelps made a more impressive showing at the Pan Pacific Championships held that summer in Australia. There he won three golds and two silvers. But his behavior out of the water that fall cast a shadow on his triumphant comeback. Phelps was arrested in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland in September for driving under the influence, speeding and crossing double lines. He took to Twitter to discuss this incident, writing "I understand the severity of my actions and take full responsibility." Phelps also apologized to "everyone I have let down." Despite his personal issues, Phelps was ready to make history and headlines again: He was going to Rio. On June 29, 2016, Phelps celebrated a huge comeback when he became the first American male swimmer to earn a spot on five Olympic teams. After finishing first in the men’s 200-meter butterfly event at the U.S.

Olympic trials at a time of 1:54:84, he clinched his spot on the team headed to the 2016 Olympics in Rio. "That means the most tonight," Phelps said after his win. "With everything that's happened, being able to come back, that's probably harder than any swim I've had in my life." On August 7, 2016, Phelps clinched his 19th Olympic gold medal in Rio when he swam an impressive second leg of the men's 400 freestyle relay. On August 9, Phelps made history again when he won gold in both the 200-meter butterfly and as the anchor in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay along with Conor Dwyer, Townley Haas and Ryan Lochte. Phelp’s 200-meter butterfly win was an important comeback for the swimmer, who had lost the 2012 Olympic gold in this race to South African swimmer Chad Le Clos. Clos did not medal in the 2016 race. “There wasn’t a shot in hell I was losing that tonight,” he told reporters.

“Doing a double like that is a lot harder now than what it once was,” Phelps said about competing in the races at the age of 31. “That is for sure.” Phelps went on to compete in the 200-meter individual medley, an event dubbed "the Duel in the Pool" because he faced off against friend, teammate and rival Ryan Lochte, the world record holder in the race. Phelps dominated the race, winning gold in over a body-length at 1:54.66 seconds, right behind Lochte's record of 1:54.00. Lochte failed to medal. Phelp's victory made him the first swimmer to win four consecutive golds in the same event. "I say this a lot, but every single day I'm living a dream come true," Phelps told NBC Sports. "As a kid, I wanted to do something that no one had ever done before, and I'm enjoying it.

Being able to finish how I won is just something very special to me and this is why you are seeing more and more emotion on the medal podium." After his victory in the 200-meter individual medley, Phelps competed in the 100-meter butterfly, tying for the silver medal with Laszlo Cseh of Hungary and Chad le Clos of South Africa. Joseph Schooling of Singapore, a 21-year-old swimmer who idolized Phelps when he was boy, won the gold. In another emotional victory, Phelps took gold again in his final Olympic race, helping the U.S. team take the top spot in the 4x100-meter medley relay with teammates Ryan Murphy, Cody Miller and Nathan Adrian. The most decorated Olympian in history received a standing ovation from the crowd after finishing his final race. In a huddle with his teammates after the race, Phelps felt the emotion of the moment, according to the New York Times . “That’s kind of when everything started to hit harder, knowing that was the last time I’ll wear the Stars and Stripes in a race,” he said.

Although his teammate Ryan Lochte told media outlets that Phelps would be back for the 2020 Olympics Games in Tokyo, the Olympic legend confirmed to reporters that he was retiring. "I've been able to do everything I've ever put my mind to in this sport. And 24 years in the sport. I'm happy with how things finished," he said. "I'm ready to retire. I'm happy about it. I'm in a better state of mind this time than I was four years ago. And yeah. . .I'm ready to spend some time with (baby son) Boomer and (fiancee) Nicole." Phelps’s fiancee, son, and his mother Debbie, watched the Olympic legend break history from the stands in Rio. Phelps has won 28 Olympics medals at five Olympic Games, including 23 Olympic gold medals and 13 individual golds, breaking the record of Leonidas of Rhodes, an Olympic runner and one of the greatest athletes of ancient Greece, who won 12 Olympic victory wreaths in his time. Phelps also made history as the oldest individual gold medalist in Olympic swimming history.

Other Projects In addition to his successful swim career, Phelps has written two books, Beneath the Surface: My Story (2008) and No Limits: The Will to Succeed (2009). Phelps also co-founded the nonprofit organization Swim with the Stars, which holds camps for swimmers of all ages. Personal Life In February 2015, Phelps popped the question to girlfriend Nicole Johnson. The couple have been dating on and off since 2011. On May 5, 2016, Phelps and his fiancee became parents to a baby boy they named Boomer Robert Phelps. The couple were married in a private ceremony on June 13, 2016 in Paradise Valley, Arizona, but their wedding was kept secret until TMZ broke the news in October 2016. 10 Olympic Athletes With The Most Gold Medals | Made Man 10 Olympic Athletes With The Most Gold Medals Facebook Twitter Stumble Google+ Save Many athletes grow up dreaming of winning Olympic gold medals—the following are the 10 Olympic athletes with the most gold medals, having won many more than the one about which many athlete's dream.

Michael Phelps is first on the list of 10 Olympic athletes with the most gold medals, having accumulated a total of 14. Phelps also has won two bronze medals. He has competed for the United States in swimming during three Olympic Games from 2000-2004. Phelps did not win any medals at his first Olympic Games, where he swam the 200 butterfly as a 15 year-old. In 2004, Phelps won six gold medals and two bronze, and in 2008 the swimmer won eight gold medals. He has not yet retired. Raymond Ewry is second on the list of Olympic athletes with the most gold medals with ten. An American track and field athlete, Ewry competed in the standing, triple and long jump events in three Olympic Games and one Intercalated Games from 1900-1908. Two of Ewry's 10 gold medals came at the Intercalated Games in Athens in 1906, which most historians consider to be Olympic competition.

Even if those two medals were not counted, Ewry still would land on the list of 10 Olympic athletes with the most gold medals. Mark Spitz amassed nine gold medals during the course of his career, ranking third on the list of the 10 Olympic athletes with the most gold medals. Swimming for the United States in the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games, Spitz won seven of the nine golds in 1972. He also won one silver and one bronze in his Olympic career. Spitz swam the freestyle and butterfly events and broke 33 world records before his retirement. Carl Lewis also won nine gold medals, tying him with Spitz on the list of the 10 Olympic athletes with the most gold medals. Lewis was an American track and field athlete competing in four Olympic Games between 1982-1996. Lewis competed in the sprint and long jump events. He was undefeated in 65 consecutive long jump competitions. Paavo Nurmi also is tied with nine among the athletes with the most gold medals.

A mid and long-distance runner representing Finland, Nurmi won nine gold and three silver medals between 1920-1928. Though not retired, Nurmi was unable to compete in the 1932 games because he was considered a professional athlete by then. Nurmi held six world records during his career. Larissa Latynina won nine gold medals, making her the fourth athlete on the list to win nine golds. A gymnast representing the Soviet Union, Latynina also won five silver and four bronze medals competing in Olympic Games from 1956-1964. Latynina's specialty was the floor exercise. Jenny Thompson was an American swimmer and seventh on the list of athletes with the most gold medals. Swimming in four Olympic Games, Thompson won eight gold medals, one silver, and one bronze. Each of her gold medals came in relay events. Bjorn Daehlie also won eight gold medals from 1992-1998. A cross country skier from Norway, Daehlie is considered the most winning cross-country athlete of all time. Daehlie also won four Olympic silver medals and nine world championship gold medals during his career.

He was forced to retire ahead of his planned schedule after a roller skiing accident in 2000. Matt Biondi was an American swimmer who won eight gold medals from 1984-1992, tying him with Thompson and Daehlie on the list of athletes with the most gold medals. A butterfly and sprint swimmer, Biondi also won two silver and one bronze medals during his Olympic career. Biondi won five of his gold medals in 1988, leaving those Olympic Games with seven total medals and four world records. Birgit Fischer was a German rower, competing in six olympic games from 1980-2004. Fischer first represented the East German team, thus boycotting the 1984 Olympic Games, before representing the unified German team in later Olympic Games. During her Olympic career, Fischer earned eight gold medals and four silver medals. Because of her extended career, Fischer was both the youngest and oldest Olympic rowing champion in the 1980 and 2004 Olympic Games, respectively. show comments Wondering why that first date didn’t lead to a second? Read on. Related Articles

Question: Before being surpassed by Michael Phelps, which American swimmer held the records for most gold medals won during a single Olympics when he won 7 (all world records) in 1972?
Answer: Mark Spitz