Every new edition of the Games sets new records, and the rankings of Olympic medals keep changing. In this article, we’ll look at the world’s best Olympic medal winners, the countries with the most Olympic medals, and the several ways that athletes’ accomplishments are ranked.
Why Rankings Matter: The Importance of Olympic Medals
The Olympics are all about celebrating what people can do, like showing off amazing feats of power, ability, and endurance. The Olympic medals that competitors get are the best proof of their hard work, determination, and brilliance. Every medal, whether it’s the gold medal from the Olympics or a hard-earned silver or bronze, is a sign of the highest level of athletic success.
The Olympic Games medal ranking gives people a sense of national pride in addition to the individual accomplishments. Countries all around the world are anxious to win medals, which show not only how talented the athletes are but also — and maybe more importantly — how strong the country’s sports facilities are.
This article will look at the order of Olympic medals, the top ten Olympic medalists by person, and the countries that win the most Olympic medals. We will also talk about the Olympic medal ranking system, how many medals there are in the Olympics, and why the Olympic medal ranking list is so important.
Who has the most Olympic medals? Here are the top 10 people with the most.
Some athletes have made Olympic history by earning a lot of medals over the years, and some have even gone above the mythical 20-medal milestone. These sportsmen are more than just champions; they are legends. As of 2025, these are the 10 Olympic athletes with the most medals:
1. Michael Phelps (USA) won 28 medals:
- 23 Gold
- 3 Silver
- 2 Bronze
Many people think Michael Phelps is the best swimmer of all time because he changed the way the sport is played. He has the most Olympic medals of any athlete ever: 23 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze. He went to five Olympics (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016) and smashed world records in many swimming events. The 200m butterfly was his best event, although he was good enough to win in freestyle, individual medley, and relays as well. Phelps’s incredible work ethic, together with his physical and mental focus, made him a swimming icon.
Phelps made history by being the first male swimmer to win 8 gold medals at the same Olympic Games (Beijing 2008).
He also became the first Olympian to win 23 gold medals in Rio 2016, making him the most decorated Olympian of all time.
2. Larisa Latynina (USSR) won 18 medals:
- 9 Gold
- 5 Silver
- 4 Bronze
Larisa Latynina was one of the best gymnasts of her time. She competed in three Olympic Games: 1956, 1960, and 1964. Latynina, who was from the Soviet Union, held the record for the most Olympic medals (18) until Michael Phelps broke it in 2008. She was a notable figure in Olympic history since she won 9 gold medals, 5 silver medals, and 4 bronze medals in gymnastics. Not only is her career legendary because of the number of medals she won, but also because she was so consistent throughout different gymnastics events.
Latynina won medals in all six gymnastics events, both individually and as part of a team.
She was the first woman to win nine gold medals in gymnastics at the Olympics, a record that remained for decades.
3. Paavo Nurmi from Finland won 12 medals:
- 9 Gold
- 3 Silver
- 0 Bronze
Paavo Nurmi, who was called the “Flying Finn,” is one of the best distance runners ever. He competed in the Olympics in 1920, 1924, and 1928, winning 9 gold medals and 3 silver medals. Nurmi was known for his careful training and his ability to win long-distance competitions. He set many world records and changed the way track and field is played.
Key Achievements:
- Nurmi was noted for being able to do well in a lot of distance events, such as the 1500m, 5000m, and 10000m.
- He was one among the first to employ exact training methods, and he is often thought of as one of the first distance runners.
4. Mark Spitz (USA) – 11 medals:
- 9 Gold
- 1 Silver
- 1 Bronze
Mark Spitz is a famous swimmer from the Olympics. He swam in the Olympics in 1968 and 1972, and in 1972 he won 9 gold medals in one Olympic Games in Munich. Michael Phelps broke this record in 2008, which had stood for a long time. Spitz also won a silver and a bronze medal, making him one of the most successful Olympians of his time.
Key Achievements:
- He won 7 gold medals at the 1972 Olympics, which was an Olympic record that stood for 36 years.
- He is thought to be one of the best swimmers ever because he can easily win several events in the pool.
5. Carl Lewis (USA) – 10 medals:
- 9 Gold
- 1 Silver
- 0 Bronze
Carl Lewis is one of the most famous and accomplished people in the history of track and field. He won a total of 9 gold medals and 1 silver medal in four Olympic Games: 1980, 1984, 1988, and 1992. Lewis is best recognized for his efforts in the 100m, 200m, and long jump, where he showed unequaled technique and consistency.
Key Achievements:
- Lewis won the long jump at four straight Olympic Games, making him the most decorated athlete in the history of the event.
- His long career and ability to stay at the top of his game in several Olympic Games are what make him great.
6. Simone Biles (USA) – 11 medals:
- 7 Gold
- 2 Silver
- 2 Bronze
One of the most groundbreaking gymnasts in Olympic history is Simone Biles. She started her Olympic career in 2016, when she won four gold medals. She added to that amount in 2020, bringing her career total to seven golds, two silvers, and two bronzes. People remember Biles for her amazing acrobatic skills and her willingness to push the limits of gymnastics.
Key Achievements:
- She has the most World Championship titles in gymnastics.
- Biles was the first gymnast to accomplish a double-twisting, double somersault vault, which is now known as the Biles move.
7. Nikolai Andrianov (USSR) – 15 Medals:
- 7 Gold
- 5 Silver
- 3 Bronze Medals
One of the best gymnasts ever is Nikolai Andrianov. He competed in four Olympic Games (1972, 1976, 1980, and 1984) and won seven gold medals, five silver medals, and three bronze medals. He is well recognized for being able to do several different types of gymnastics, such as the floor exercise, vault, and rings. Andrianov was a top gymnast at the Olympics for more than ten years because he was always good and consistent.
Andrianov maintained the record for the most Olympic medals won by a male gymnast until Michael Phelps broke it in 2008.
He became known as one of the best gymnasts of all time after winning gold and silver medals in the 1976 and 1980 Olympics.
8. Usain Bolt from Jamaica won 8 medals:
- 8 gold
- 0 Silver
- 0 Bronze
Usain Bolt is known as the fastest man on planet, and his legacy will live on in Olympic history. He won eight gold medals in three Olympic Games (2008, 2012, and 2016), dominating the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay events. Bolt was a world-famous figure because of his incredible speed and charming nature.
Bolt still holds the world records in the 100m and 200m.
He won the 2008 and 2012 Olympics in track and field, which were two of the most impressive achievements in the sport’s history.
9. Allyson Felix (USA) – 11 medals:
- 7 gold
- 3 Silver
- 1 Bronze
Allyson Felix is one of the best Olympic sprinters ever. She has run in five Olympics: 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020. She has won 11 medals in all, 7 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze. Felix has done quite well in both the 200m and 400m sprints, making her one of the best athletes in these events.
Key Achievements:
- She is the only woman to have won six Olympic gold medals in the 4x400m relay.
- Felix is one of the most renowned and admired athletes in the world because she can perform well under duress.
10. Birgit Fischer (Germany) won 12 medals:
- 8 Gold
- 4 Silver
- 0 Bronze
Birgit Fischer is one of the Olympic canoeists with the most medals. She earned 8 gold medals and 4 silver medals in six Olympic Games: 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2004. Fischer’s strength and consistency are shown by her supremacy in canoe sprint competitions.
Important Accomplishments:
- Fischer earned her first Olympic gold medal when she was 18 years old. She kept competing at the highest level for more than 20 years.
- She is still one of the most renowned athletes in the sport because of what she has done and how long she has been able to stay competitive.
How do they give out medals under the Olympic Medal Ranking System?
It is not hard to understand the Olympic medal ranking system. After each event, athletes get one of three medals: gold, silver, or bronze.
- Gold Medal: The winner of an event gets a gold medal, which means they have reached the highest level of achievement.
- Silver Medal: The athlete who comes in second gets a silver medal.
- Bronze Medal: Given to the athlete who comes in third.
Usually, the number of gold medals earned by a country determines its Olympic Games medal ranking. If two countries have the same number of gold medals, the total number of silver medals is looked at. If that doesn’t work, bronze medals are looked at.
Olympic Medals Ranking List: Top 10 Countries with Most Olympic Medals
The ranking of Olympic medals by country reflects each nation’s performance over the years. Below are the top 10 countries with the most Olympic medals:
| Rank | Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | United States | 1,229 | 1,000 | 876 | 3,105 |
| 2 | Germany | 384 | 419 | 408 | 1,211 |
| 3 | France | 312 | 336 | 392 | 1,040 |
| 4 | United Kingdom | 325 | 351 | 359 | 1,035 |
| 5 | China | 384 | 281 | 235 | 900 |
| 6 | Italy | 299 | 278 | 308 | 885 |
| 7 | Russia | 290 | 243 | 246 | 779 |
| 8 | Sweden | 233 | 245 | 262 | 740 |
| 9 | Japan | 229 | 220 | 241 | 690 |
| 10 | Australia | 185 | 204 | 247 | 636 |
FAQ Section: People Also Ask
1. How many medals are there in the Olympics?
There are over 300 events in the Summer Olympics and over 100 in the Winter Olympics, with each event awarding medals to the top three finishers—gold, silver, and bronze. The total number of medals can vary by year depending on the events featured.
2. Who has the most Olympic gold medals of all time?
Michael Phelps holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals, with 23 gold medals in swimming.
3. What is the most decorated country in the Olympics?
The USA is the most decorated country in Olympic history, with the highest number of total medals, including gold, silver, and bronze.
4. How are Olympic medal rankings determined?
Olympic rankings are typically based on the number of gold medals won, followed by silver and then bronze medals in case of ties.
5. Which athlete has the most Olympic medals in history?
Michael Phelps holds the record with 28 Olympic medals, including 23 golds.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Olympic Excellence
The Olympic Games medals ranking has changed over the years as new athletes break records and countries keep pushing the limits of what people can do. As we look forward to future Games, it’s clear that the legacy of the world’s top players’ Olympic medals ranking will continue to motivate athletes for years to come.
The stories behind these athletes and their accomplishments show us that with dedication, perseverance, and hard work, we can all achieve greatness, whether we want to be Olympians or just love sports.
