OT: Michael Phelps

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Posted By: Martin

Phelps achievements in these games and the previous Olympics in Athens have been nothing short of phenomenal. Plus, he is likely to compete in London in 4 years time and will be favoured to win at least 5 golds assuming he maintains dedication and is fortunate enough not to get injured. Assuming London is his final Olympics he may exit swimming with 18 or more gold medals which may never be matched.

As for greatest Olympian that is really really difficult to determine because as previously mentioned many athletes i.e boxers are only able to enter one event at an Olympic games thus reducing there chances of winning more than one gold medal over the course of their sporting career.

I have some more names to consider though (not previously mentioned):

Emile Zatopek (Czechoslovakia) 1952 Olympics he won the 5000 metres then the 10000 metres at the last minute entered his first marathon which he duly won - breaking the Olympic record in all three events. In the 1948 games he won the 10000 metres and finsihed runner-up in the 5000.

Sir Steve Redgrave (GB) - won gold medals in rowing in five consecutive Olympic games from 1984-2000.

Ole Einar Bjoerndalen (Norway) - won four gold medals, including all three individual events and one team relay, at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in Biathlon.