Paris 2024: Top 10 Most Decorated Athletes in Olympic Games History, Usain Bolt Out of First Five

• When it comes to the Olympic medal count, Michael Phelps stands head and shoulders above the rest
• He is the most decorated athlete of all time, with 28 medals in total, including an impressive 23 gold medals
• But where do iconic names like Usain Bolt and Carl Lewis rank among the most decorated athletes? Briefly News has the answer

Excitement is mounting for the 2024 Olympics, scheduled in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11. During these two and a half weeks, the world's top athletes will converge to strive for a place in history, seeking to leave their mark and aiming for gold.

Over time, a distinguished group of athletes has excelled, collecting numerous gold medals and cementing their status as the best in their respective sports.

In this context, Briefly News highlights the most decorated athletes in the history of the multi-sport event.

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Who holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals?

According to Britannica, Michael Phelps, often hailed as the "king of medals" in the Olympics, is the most decorated athlete in the Games' history.

ESPN has acknowledged Phelps as the greatest athlete of the 21st century. He began his Olympic journey at the 2000 Sydney Games and competed in five Olympics.

Reactions to the news:

@USAISABULLY:

"Michael Phelps stole the gold medals from clean athletes with doping!"

The gifted swimmer collected an astounding 23 gold, three silver, and two bronze medals throughout his career.

This extraordinary record cements his status as the athlete with the most gold medals in Summer Olympic history.

Which athletes make the top five?

Larisa Latynina, a Soviet gymnast, is the second most decorated Olympian, with an impressive 18 medals.

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Her collection includes nine gold, five silver, and four bronze medals, which she earned across three Games from 1956 to 1964.

Of these, 14 were in individual events, while four were achieved as part of the Soviet team.

Adding to the list of Olympic legends, Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi earned nine gold and three silver medals, and American swimmer Mark Spitz secured nine gold, one silver, and one bronze.

Completing this elite group is Carl Lewis, an American track-and-field legend.

Over his four Olympic appearances in the 1980s and '90s, Lewis won nine gold medals, cementing his status as one of the sport's greatest athletes.

Legendary sprinter Usain Bolt misses out on top 5

Despite his impressive sprinting feats, Usain Bolt doesn't make the top five most decorated Olympic athletes. He first rose to fame by winning the 200 meters at the 2002 World Junior Championships.

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After a quiet 2004 Olympics, Bolt shone brightly in 2008, setting a 100-meter world record of 9.72 seconds and securing three gold medals in Beijing.

He also broke records in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×100 meters relay.

Ranking the top 10 most decorated athletes at the Olympic Games

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Inside look at African kits at Paris 2024 Olympics

(Statistics culled from Spanish publication AS)

Paris 2024: inside look at African kits at the Olympics

African nations are turning heads with stunning outfits for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Highlights include Eliud Kipchoge, the Blitzboks, the Super Falcons, and Tobi Amusan, representing the continent's brightest stars.

The biggest sporting festival will begin this week in Paris, France, with over 10,000 athletes congregating for the 2024 Olympic Games in the European City.

Source: YEN.com.gh