# Who is the greatest Olympic athlete?

> Dive into a thrilling showdown of athletic greatness, where legends of the past clash with contemporary icons, and you can weigh in on the most celebrated vs. the underappreciated. Who stands out among the vast array of unforgettable achievements and inspiring stories? Cast your vote!

*By YPB Team · Published February 28, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-greatest-olympic-athlete*

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## Current results (0 votes)

1. **Michael Phelps**
   Most decorated Olympian with 28 medals, including 23 golds
2. **Usain Bolt**
   World record holder in 100m and 200m sprints, 8 Olympic golds
3. **Simone Biles**
   Four-time Olympic gold medalist, known for her exceptional gymnastics skills
4. **Carl Lewis**
   Nine-time Olympic gold medalist, dominant in sprints and long jump
5. **Jesse Owens**
   Four gold medals in 1936 Berlin Olympics, symbol of racial equality
6. **Larisa Latynina**
   Nine Olympic golds in gymnastics, held record for most medals for decades
7. **Paavo Nurmi**
   Finnish long-distance runner, won 9 Olympic golds in the 1920s
8. **Mark Spitz**
   Seven gold medals in 1972 Olympics, set multiple swimming records
9. **Nadia Comăneci**
   First gymnast to score a perfect 10, won 3 golds in 1976
10. **Olga Korbut**
   Revolutionized gymnastics with her daring routines, 4 Olympic golds
11. **Emil Zátopek**
   Legendary long-distance runner, won 3 golds in 1952 Olympics
12. **Fanny Blankers-Koen**
   Four gold medals in 1948, known as the 'Flying Housewife'
13. **Al Oerter**
   Four-time Olympic discus champion, known for his athletic longevity
14. **Daley Thompson**
   Two-time Olympic decathlon champion, known for his versatility
15. **Jackie Joyner-Kersee**
   Ranked among the greatest female athletes, 3 golds in heptathlon
16. **Florence Griffith-Joyner**
   Fastest woman ever, won 3 golds in 1988 with record times
17. **Katie Ledecky**
   Multiple Olympic gold medalist in swimming, known for distance events
18. **Allyson Felix**
   Most decorated female track athlete, 7 Olympic golds in sprints
19. **Birgit Fischer**
   Dominant in canoeing, won 8 Olympic golds across 6 Games
20. **Isabell Werth**
   Most successful dressage rider, multiple Olympic golds in equestrian
21. **Ole Einar Bjørndalen**
   Biathlon legend, won 8 Olympic golds, known for his endurance
22. **Marit Bjørgen**
   Most decorated female Winter Olympian, 8 golds in cross-country skiing
23. **Bjørn Dæhlie**
   Dominant cross-country skier, won 8 Olympic golds in the 1990s
24. **Ingemar Stenmark**
   Legendary alpine skier, won 2 golds in 1980, known for slalom
25. **Lindsey Vonn**
   One of the greatest female alpine skiers, 3 Olympic medals
26. **Ryan Lochte**
   12 Olympic medals in swimming, known for his versatility in strokes
27. **Ian Thorpe**
   Five-time Olympic gold medalist, known for his freestyle swimming
28. **Jenny Thompson**
   Most decorated female swimmer, won 12 Olympic medals
29. **Dara Torres**
   Five-time Olympic swimmer, known for competing at age 41
30. **Natalie Coughlin**
   12 Olympic medals in swimming, known for her sprint freestyle
31. **Vitaly Scherbo**
   Gymnast with 6 Olympic golds, known for his powerful routines
32. **Sawao Kato**
   Japanese gymnast, won 8 Olympic golds, known for his versatility

Tags: sports, olympics