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In this post, we will check out the top 10 most decorated Olympians of all time.

The Olympic Games have long been a symbol of excellence, determination, and athletic prowess. Throughout history, numerous extraordinary athletes have graced the Olympic stage, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of sporting achievement.

As we delve into the realm of the most decorated Olympians of all time, we encounter a remarkable cohort of individuals whose dedication, talent, and relentless pursuit of greatness have earned them a place in sporting history.

These legendary athletes have amassed an awe-inspiring collection of medals, setting records and inspiring generations to come. From swimmers to track and field stars, from gymnasts to basketball players, their extraordinary feats have left an indomitable legacy in the world of sports.

Join us as we celebrate the top 10 most decorated Olympians of all time, whose extraordinary accomplishments continue to captivate and inspire athletes and enthusiasts alike.

Top 10 Most Decorated Olympians Of All Time

10 Birgit Fischer-Schmidt – 12 medals

Birgit Fischer-Schmidt, with her remarkable achievements in Olympic competitions, firmly secures her position as one of the Top 10 most successful Olympians of all time. Hailing from Germany, Fischer-Schmidt made an indelible mark on the world of canoeing, amassing a staggering 12 Olympic medals throughout her illustrious career.

Fischer-Schmidt’s Olympic journey began in 1980 when she made her debut at the Moscow Games. Despite her relative youth, she displayed immense skill and determination, capturing her first two Olympic gold medals in the kayak events.

Over the course of her Olympic tenure, Fischer-Schmidt showcased her versatility, excelling in both kayak and canoe events. Her medal collection includes an impressive eight gold medals, four silver medals, and an incredible longevity that allowed her to compete at the highest level well into her forties.

Fischer-Schmidt’s enduring legacy extends beyond her remarkable medal count. She served as an inspiration and role model for countless athletes, proving that age is no barrier to success. Her dedication to her craft and relentless pursuit of excellence earned her widespread admiration and respect within the sporting community.

Off the water, Fischer-Schmidt has been an advocate for gender equality and the promotion of women’s sports. Her accomplishments have shattered barriers and paved the way for future generations of female athletes. She remains a beloved figure in the world of canoeing and an ambassador for the Olympic movement as a whole.

Birgit Fischer-Schmidt’s extraordinary career, punctuated by her 12 Olympic medals, firmly establishes her among the Top 10 Most Decorated Olympians of All Time. Her enduring legacy as a trailblazer, combined with her exceptional talent and unwavering determination, cements her status as one of the all-time greats in Olympic history.

9 Paavo Nurmi – 12 medals

Paavo Nurmi is one of the most decorated Olympians of all time, with 12 medals (9 gold, 3 silver) in three Olympic Games. He was a dominant force in long-distance running in the 1920s, and his achievements are still unmatched today.

He began running at a young age and quickly showed great talent. In 1920, he made his Olympic debut at the Antwerp Games, where he won gold medals in the 10,000 meters and cross-country events. He also won a silver medal in the 5,000 meters.

Nurmi’s greatest Olympic performance came at the 1924 Paris Games. He won five gold medals in the space of four days, in the 1500 meters, the 5,000 meters, the 3,000-meter team event, and the two cross-country events. He also set world records in the 1500 meters and the 5,000 meters.

Nurmi continued to dominate long-distance running in the years after the Paris Games. He won two more gold medals at the 1928 Amsterdam Games and one silver medal. He also set numerous world records, and his running style was widely copied by other athletes.

His achievements are still remembered today, and he is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time. Paavo Nurmi is number 9 in our list of the top 10 most decorated Olympians of all time.

8 Takashi Ono – 13 medals

Takashi Ono, with his incredible talent and unwavering dedication, has earned a well-deserved spot among the top 10 most decorated Olympians of all time.

Competing in four consecutive Olympic Games from 1952 to 1964, he amassed a remarkable total of 13 Olympic medals, solidifying his status as a true icon in the world of sports.

Ono’s journey to Olympic greatness began in Helsinki in 1952, where he captured his first taste of success, winning a gold medal in the team all-around event. In subsequent Games, including Melbourne in 1956, Rome in 1960, and Tokyo in 1964, Ono continued to shine, consistently showcasing his exceptional skills and unparalleled determination.

His medal haul includes numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals across various gymnastics disciplines. Ono’s prowess in the team all-around event, parallel bars, and individual all-around competitions played a pivotal role in his impressive collection of Olympic honors.

His legacy is not only defined by his incredible medal count but also by his influence in shaping the future of gymnastics in his home country.

His outstanding performances, unwavering determination, and contributions to the sport of gymnastics have left an indelible mark on the world stage. Ono’s name will forever be synonymous with excellence and serve as an inspiration for future generations of athletes striving to reach the pinnacle of sporting achievement.

7 Edoardo Mangiarotti – 13 medals

Edoardo Mangiarotti was an Italian fencer who competed in five Olympic Games from 1936 to 1960. He won a total of 13 Olympic medals, including six golds, making him one of the most decorated Olympians of all time.

Mangiarotti was born in Renate, Italy, in 1919. He began fencing at the age of eight, and his father, Giuseppe Mangiarotti, was a master fencer who helped him to develop his skills. Edoardo was naturally right-handed, but his father convinced him to fence with his left hand, believing that it would give him a competitive advantage.

Mangiarotti’s first Olympic appearance came in 1936 when he was just 17 years old. He helped the Italian team to win the gold medal in the team épée event. Mangiarotti also won a silver medal in the individual épée event.

He retired from competitive fencing in 1961, but he remained active in the sport as a coach and administrator. Mangiarotti died in Milan, Italy, in 2012 at the age of 93. He was one of the most successful fencers in history, and his legacy continues to inspire fencers around the world.

6 Boris Shakhlin – 13 medals

Boris Shakhlin, a legendary Soviet gymnast, is rightfully regarded as one of the Top 10 Most Decorated Olympians of All Time. Born on January 27, 1932, in Russia, Shakhlin dedicated his life to the sport of gymnastics and left an indelible mark on the Olympic stage.

Shakhlin’s remarkable achievements include an astounding collection of 13 Olympic medals, cementing his status as one of the most successful athletes in Olympic history.

He competed in four consecutive Olympic Games, from 1956 to 1968, winning medals in each edition. His medal haul comprised seven gold medals, four silver medals, and two bronze medals, spanning various gymnastics disciplines.

Known for his versatility and consistency, Shakhlin excelled in multiple events, showcasing his mastery on the floor, vault, parallel bars, horizontal bars, and rings. His technical proficiency and flawless execution set him apart from his contemporaries, earning him the admiration and respect of both fans and fellow athletes.

Beyond his Olympic success, Shakhlin also achieved numerous accolades in other prestigious gymnastics events, such as the World Championships and the European Championships.

His record-breaking achievements and unwavering commitment to excellence serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Olympic Games and the remarkable feats that can be accomplished through hard work, talent, and determination.

5 Ole Einar Bjørndalen – 13 medals

Ole Einar Bjørndalen is one of the most decorated Olympians of all time, with 13 medals to his name. He is second only to Marit Bjørgen in terms of Winter Olympic medals and is the most successful biathlete in history.

Bjørndalen’s first Olympic medal came in 1998 when he won silver in the 10 km sprint. He went on to win gold medals in the sprint, pursuit, and relay at the 2002 Winter Olympics and repeated his gold medal in the sprint at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

In 2010, Bjørndalen won a silver medal in the 20 km individual event and helped the Norwegian team win gold in the 4 × 7.5-km relay. He then added to his medal collection at the 2014 Winter Olympics, winning gold medals in the 10 km sprint and the mixed relay.

Bjørndalen’s 13 Olympic medals include eight golds, four silvers, and one bronze. He is also the most successful biathlete in history at the Biathlon World Championships, having won 45 medals. With 95 World Cup wins, Bjørndalen is ranked first all-time for career victories on the Biathlon World Cup tour.

Bjørndalen retired from biathlon in 2018, but his legacy as one of the greatest Olympians of all time will live on. He is an inspiration to athletes all over the world, and his achievements will be remembered for generations to come.

4 Nikolay Andrianov – 15 medals

Nikolay Andrianov, with his remarkable achievements in gymnastics, has rightfully earned his place as one of the top 10 most decorated Olympians of all time.

Born on October 14, 1952, in Vladimir, Russia, Andrianov’s career spanned from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. Throughout his Olympic journey, he amassed an astounding total of 15 medals, including seven gold, five silver, and three bronze.

Andrianov’s first Olympic appearance was in 1972, at the Summer Games held in Munich, Germany. He immediately made an impact, securing three bronze medals in the team all-around, floor exercise, and vault events. This early success laid the foundation for his future dominance in gymnastics.

Four years later, at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Andrianov truly showcased his exceptional abilities. He captured four gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze, firmly establishing himself as one of the greatest gymnasts in Olympic history. His gold medals came in the individual all-around, floor exercise, vault, and rings events. Additionally, he secured silver medals in the team all-around and parallel bars, and a bronze in the pommel horse.

Beyond his individual accomplishments, Andrianov’s contributions to the Soviet Union’s gymnastics dynasty were immeasurable. His performances were crucial in helping his team secure multiple gold medals in the team all-around events.

Nikolay Andrianov’s extraordinary career and remarkable medal count firmly place him among the elite ranks of the most decorated Olympians of all time.

3 Marit Bjørgen – 15 medals

Marit Bjørgen is a Norwegian cross-country skier who is the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time. She has won 15 medals in her career, including eight golds.

Bjørgen’s first Olympic medal was a silver in the women’s 4x5km team relay at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. She won her first individual Olympic gold medal in the sprint at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Bjørgen won three more gold medals, including the gold in the skiathlon, which is a 15km race that combines classic and freestyle skiing. Bjørgen also won a silver and a bronze at the 2014 Olympics.

Bjørgen’s most successful Olympic Games were the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. She won five medals at the 2018 Olympics, including two gold medals.

Bjørgen’s gold medals in the 30km freestyle and the 4x5km team relay were her eighth and ninth Olympic gold medals, which tied her with Ole Einar Bjørndalen and Bjørn Daehlie for the most Olympic gold medals by a Norwegian Winter Olympian.

Bjørgen retired from competitive skiing after the 2018 Winter Olympics. She is considered to be one of the greatest cross-country skiers of all time, and she is the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time.

2 Larisa Latynina – 18 medals

Larisa Latynina, with a staggering 18 Olympic medals, is undeniably one of the most decorated Olympians of all time. Born on December 27, 1934, in Ukraine, Latynina established herself as a gymnastics legend during her competitive career in the 1950s and 1960s.

Latynina’s Olympic medal count includes nine gold, five silver, and four bronze medals. Her dominance in gymnastics was unrivaled during her era, and she won medals in various events, including the individual all-around, team competitions, and individual apparatus events.

At the Melbourne Games in 1956, Latynina made her Olympic debut and immediately left a lasting impression. She claimed four gold medals, winning the individual all-around title, as well as topping the podium in the floor exercise, vault, and team events. This extraordinary performance set the stage for her subsequent Olympic triumphs.

With her performance in Tokyo, Latynina became the first woman in Olympic history to reach the milestone of 18 medals, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Her legacy as one of the Top 10 Most Decorated Olympians of All Time remains an enduring testament to her unrivaled achievements and the lasting impact she has had on the sport.

1 Michael Phelps – 28 medals

Michael Phelps is one of the Olympians with the most medals, with a total of 28 medals. He holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals (23), Olympic gold medals in individual events (13), and Olympic medals in individual events (16).

In 2004, at the Athens Games, Phelps won six gold medals and two bronze medals. He then went on to win eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games, breaking fellow American swimmer Mark Spitz’s record of seven first-place finishes at any single Olympic Games.

Phelps continued his dominance at the 2012 London Games, winning four gold medals and two silver medals. He then retired from swimming after the 2012 Games, but he came back for one more Olympics in 2016. At the Rio Games, Phelps won six more gold medals, bringing his total to 23.

Phelps’s Olympic success is due in part to his natural talent. He is a large swimmer with a long wingspan, which gives him an advantage in the water. But Phelps’s success is also due to his hard work and dedication. He trains for hours every day, and he is always looking for ways to improve his technique.

Phelps is an inspiration to swimmers all over the world. He has shown that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. He is a true champion, and he will be remembered as one of the greatest Olympians of all time.