Michael Phelps
Awards & Honours
31
Awards Won
7
Honours
4
Rankings
5
Covers
5
Records
Michael Phelps holds the record for the most Olympic medals ever won by any athlete, with 28 total and 23 golds. His 13 individual gold medals are also the most in Olympic history. He is the only athlete to win eight gold medals at a single Games (Beijing 2008). Phelps won medals at four consecutive Olympics, a feat unmatched in swimming. He was named World Swimmer of the Year eight times and American Swimmer of the Year eleven times. His 82 major international medals (65 gold) across Olympics, World Championships, and Pan Pacific Championships set a standard for excellence.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Guinness World Record – Most Olympic Gold Medals
23 Olympic gold medals, the most of any athlete.
Guinness World Record – Most Olympic Medals
28 Olympic medals, the most of any athlete.
Guinness World Record – Most Individual Olympic Gold Medals
13 individual Olympic gold medals.
Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year
Awarded for winning eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Laureus World Comeback of the Year
For his return at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
James E. Sullivan Award
Top amateur athlete in the United States.
Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year
Named Male Athlete of the Year by the AP.
Rankings & Lists
Greatest Olympian of All Time
Greatest Swimmer of All Time
Sportsman of the Year
Male Athlete of the Year
Magazine Covers
Sports Illustrated
2008-12-08
Sportsman of the Year
TIME
2008-08-25
The Greatest Olympian
ESPN The Magazine
2008-09-01
The Golden Boy
Men's Journal
2016-07-01
The Comeback
Outside Magazine
2017-05-01
The New Life of Michael Phelps
Records & Feats
Most Olympic gold medals (23)
Phelps holds the record for the most gold medals won at the Olympic Games, with 23.
Most Olympic medals overall (28)
Phelps has won 28 Olympic medals, the most by any athlete.
Most individual Olympic gold medals (13)
Phelps has 13 individual Olympic gold medals, the most of any athlete.
Most gold medals at a single Olympics (8)
Phelps won eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, surpassing Mark Spitz's seven.
Most World Championship gold medals (26)
Phelps won 26 gold medals at the FINA World Aquatics Championships.