Phelps Medals

Looks like a pretty simple question. Simply set the record for most gold medals and most medals won by an individual in one Olympics. It also has the most gold medals won by an athlete in multiple Olympics. However, Larissa Latynina has won the most individual medals at the Olympics with 18 Phelps 16. (Latynina of Russia won her medals in gymnastics between 1956 and 1964). Phelps was one of seven world records in his events this year. That ties Mark Spitz record of 7 world records at the 1972 Olympic Games. Phelps has won 5 of his gold medals in individual events (Spitz won 4 in 1972) and the other 3 gold medals in the relay.

But what about Eric Heiden? He won five individual gold medals in speed skating in the 1980 Winter Olympics. He won medals in distances from 500 meters to 10,000 meters, which could be more impressive than Phelps' medals. Phelps' medals were all shorter distances, while the medals were in Heiden short and long distances. In addition, Heiden later crossed into the world of professional bike racing, even competing in the Tour de France 1986.

Carl Lewis was another Olympian impressive . He has won 10 gold medals at the Olympic Games between 1984 and 1996. This included winning the title in the long jump in four consecutive Olympics. Lewis also qualified for the Olympic team that boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games.

Although for all their greatness, these Olympians impact is probably less profound than that of Jesse Owens. Owens won four medals Medals in 1936 held in Berlin. This is not how many medals he has won, but where and when. 104inc.com is a site that tries to make a difference in the place and date of the Internet.

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