Since its inception in 1896, several athletes have set remarkable records.
Records That Are Hard to Break at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Most Medals Won by an Athlete
The legendary American swimmer Michael Phelps holds the record for the most Olympic medals in history, with a total of 28 medals. Remarkably, 23 of these are Gold Medals, which also sets the record for the most Olympic Gold Medals.
For female athletes, former Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina is the most successful female Olympian with 18 medals, including 9 Gold Medals, which is a record for female athletes at the Olympics.
Country with the Most Medals
The United States is the country with the most medals in Olympic history, boasting 2,522 medals, including 1,022 Gold Medals. The U.S. is far ahead of the Russian sports team, which has a total of 1,556 medals, including 590 Gold Medals. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the U.S. also sent the largest contingent of athletes, totaling 630. They were predicted to lead the medal count.
Most Gold Medals Won by an Athlete at a Single Olympics
Michael Phelps won 8 Gold Medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, achieving Gold in every swimming event he participated in.
This is the highest number of medals won by a single athlete at one Olympic Games. On the women’s side, German swimmer Kristin Otto holds the record with six Gold Medals at the Seoul 1988 Olympics.
Michael Phelps is the most successful athlete in Olympic history. His records are likely to remain unbroken at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. (Photo: AFP).
At the team level, the record for the most Gold Medals won by a country belongs to the United States at the 1984 Olympics, where they secured an impressive 83 Gold Medals.
Most Consecutive Gold Medals in the Same Event
American athletes Carl Lewis (long jump) and Alfred Oerter (discus throw), along with Danish athlete Paul Elvstrom (rowing), hold the record for winning Gold Medals in four consecutive Olympic Games in the same event.
On the women’s side, Japanese wrestler Kaori Icho also won Gold Medals in four consecutive Olympics from 2004 to 2016. In team events, the late Hungarian fencer Aladar Gerevich won Gold Medals in six consecutive Olympic Games.
Youngest Athlete to Win an Olympic Gold Medal
The record for the youngest athlete to win an Olympic Gold Medal in individual events is held by diver Marjorie Gestring, who achieved this feat at the Berlin Olympics in 1936 at just 13 years and 268 days old.
For men, Japanese swimmer Kusuo Kitamura won the Gold Medal at the Los Angeles 1932 Olympics at the age of 14 years and 309 days.
Equestrian athlete Ian Millar participated in 10 Olympic Games from 1972 to 2012. (Photo: AFP).
Oldest Athlete to Win an Olympic Gold Medal
Swedish shooter Oscar Swahn won a Gold Medal at the Antwerp 1920 Olympics at the age of 72 years and 279 days.
For women, American swimmer Eliza Pollock won the Olympic Gold Medal in 1904 at the age of 63 years and 331 days. This is a remarkable record that is unlikely to be broken now or in the future.
Most Olympic Appearances
Canadian equestrian Ian Millar holds the record for the most Olympic appearances by a male athlete, competing from 1972 to 2012 and winning a Silver Medal. In total, he participated in 10 Olympic Games.
On the women’s side, Italian canoeist Idem Guerrini appeared in 8 Olympic Games from 1984 to 2008, winning 1 Gold Medal, 2 Silver Medals, and 1 Bronze Medal. Canadian rower Lesley Thompson also participated in 8 Olympic Games, earning 5 medals.
