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| 22 medals for America's Golden Boy. Remarkable! |
Before I start this post (Ed. Note - it's been updated to reflect current totals as of Aug. 4), I'd like to set some parameters. This is strictly comparing Olympic accomplishments, not overall careers. I wanted to remind folks who are prisoners of the moment that there is much to consider about who's on the Mt. Olympus of greatness. Here we go.
Carl
Lewis
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10 medals (9 gold, 7 individual)
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4 gold medals in 1984 (200 - OR, relay WR)
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1988: won 100 with OR (post suspension of Ben Johnson)
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4-peat in long jump (1 of 3 Olympians to 4-peat in an event)
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Anchored 4 x 100 relay to world record in 1992
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The only man to defend the 100 and long jump
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Michael
Phelps
- 22 medals (18 gold, 13 individual)
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8 gold medals in 2008 (7 world records, 8th Olympic)
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6 gold in 2004 (2 WRs, 3 ORs)
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2 WRs set at Olympics still stand
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2 time Olympic champion in several events
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3-peat in the 4 x 200 freestyle relay, 200 IM and 100 butterfly (1st swimmer to ever 3-peat in an event)
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By the numbers, Phelps is the greatest Olympic champion. But greatest Olympian ever? For my money, it's Lewis. Let's break down swimming though.
