Wikimedia Commons
Sports Event
Top 10 Greatest Olympic Athletes of All Time
From Michael Phelps' 28 medals to Jesse Owens' defiance in 1936 Berlin, these are the greatest Olympians ever to compete — athletes who redefined human limits, shattered world records, and became global icons of sport.
2026222 views
Top10Grid rankings are decided by votes, not algorithms — use the buttons below to move this list.
Current Rankings
Vote items up or down — rankings update instantly
Get the weekly sports rundown
Only lists published since the last email. Join the early readers.
- Only Top 10s published in the last 7 days
- One email a week — and none at all in a week with nothing new
- Unsubscribe in one click
No spam. One email per week. Unsubscribe anytime.
Readers Also Ranked
More Lists Like This
Top 10 Greatest Formula 1 Drivers of All Time
- #1Michael Schumacher
- #2Lewis Hamilton
- #3Ayrton Senna
Top 10 Mexican Football Players of All Time
- #1Hugo Sanchez
- #2Cuauhtemoc Blanco
- #3Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez
Top 10 Most Iconic Football Celebrations
- #1Bebeto's Baby Cradle — USA 1994
- #2Roger Milla's Corner Flag Dance — Italia 90
- #3Robbie Fowler's Line-Sniffing — 1999
Top 10 Best NBA Arenas to Watch a Game
- #1Chase Center — San Francisco (Golden State Warriors)
- #2Madison Square Garden — New York (New York Knicks)
- #3Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles (LA Lakers/Clippers)
Frequently asked questions
Who is often considered the greatest Olympic athlete of all time?
Michael Phelps is widely regarded as the greatest, holding the record for most Olympic gold medals (23) and total medals (28).
How are the top Olympic athletes typically ranked?
Rankings consider total medal count, number of gold medals, world records, longevity, and dominance in their sport, with no single official ranking.
Which athlete has won the most Olympic gold medals?
Michael Phelps holds the record for most Olympic gold medals with 23, all in swimming.
Who is the most decorated female Olympic athlete?
Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina held the record for most Olympic medals (18) until Michael Phelps, and still holds the most for a female athlete (18 total, 9 gold).
What criteria are used to select the top 10 greatest Olympic athletes?
Common criteria include total medals, gold medals, world records, impact on the sport, versatility, and performance across multiple Games.
Discussion
Have a take on this ranking?
Comments are how the argument actually happens here. Posting one needs a free account — it takes about a minute.
No comments yet.
The first comment sets the terms of the argument.
Would your top 10 look different?
Publish your own ranking of this topic. Your list gets its own page, and readers vote on it the same way you just voted on this one.
Build your own Top 10Related Videos
More Sports Rankings
More Sports Events Rankings
6
Top 10 Greatest Olympic Swimmers of All Time
246 views · @admin
Top 10 Best World Cup Kits of All Time — Iconic Football Jerseys Ranked
251 views · @admin
Top 10 World Cup Underdogs & Upsets
265 views · @admin
Top 10 World Cup Songs and Anthems
301 views · @admin
Top 10 Greatest Olympic Sprinters of All Time (2026): Ranked & Reviewed
329 views · @admin
10 Biggest World Cup Hosting Controversies: From Qatar 2022 to Mussolini's 1934 Propaganda Tournament
338 views · @admin
You might also want to rank…
Top 10 Indonesia Diving Spots in 2026
Top 10 African Football Stars of All Time
Top 10 Countries to Watch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Top 10 Korean Hiking Trails 2026Explore more Sports rankings on Top10Grid
People Also Explore
Because you're viewing Sports
Top 10 Greatest Brazilian Football Players of All Time
282 views · 0 votes
Top 10 Brazilian Football Clubs of All Time
283 views · 0 votes
Top 10 Action Athletes of 2026
305 views · 0 votes
Top 10 Greatest Tennis Players of All Time
312 views · 0 votes
Top 10 Greatest Olympic Sprinters of All Time (2026): Ranked & Reviewed
329 views · 0 votes
10 Biggest World Cup Hosting Controversies: From Qatar 2022 to Mussolini's 1934 Propaganda Tournament
338 views · 1 votes
You might also like
SPORTSShared subjects
Top 10 Greatest Olympians of All Time
10 items
SPORTSSame type
Top 10 Greatest Olympic Moments of All Time
10 items
SPORTSSame type
Top 10 Greatest Olympic Sprinters of All Time (2026): Ranked & Reviewed
10 items
SPORTSSame type
Top 10 Greatest Olympic Swimmers of All Time
10 items
SPORTSSame type
Top 10 Iconic Olympic Moments That Changed History
10 items
SPORTSSame type
Top 10 Best Olympic Moments
10 items
