Editorial · All 22 ranked

Greatest Swimming of All Time

Every athlete in our swimming coverage, ranked by documented honours and records.

A living list, updated as careers unfold.

Rank	Athlete	Sport	Nation	Honours	Honours
1	Michael PhelpsSwimming · Butterfly, Individual Medley, Freestyle	Swimming	United States	Olympic Gold Medalsx8	8
2	Ryan MurphySwimming · Backstroke	Swimming	United States	Gold Medalistx4	4
3	Missy FranklinSwimming · Backstroke, freestyle, medley	Swimming	United States	Olympic Gold Medalsx9	9
4	Chad le ClosSwimming · Butterfly, Freestyle, Individual Medley	Swimming	South Africa	Olympic Gold Medalx8	8
5	Mark SpitzSwimming · Butterfly, Freestyle	Swimming	United States	Olympic Gold Medalsx7	7
6	Sarah SjostromSwimming · Butterfly, Freestyle, Backstroke	Swimming	Sweden	Olympic Medalsx7	7
7	Ian ThorpeSwimming · Freestyle	Swimming	Australia	Olympic Gold Medalsx6	6
8	Cesar CieloSwimming · Freestyle, Butterfly	Swimming	Brazil	Olympic Gold Medalx8	8
9	Ariarne TitmusSwimming · Freestyle	Swimming	Australia	Olympic Gold Medalsx6	6
10	Bobby FinkeSwimming · Distance freestyle, individual medley	Swimming	United States	Olympic Gold Medalsx6	6
11	Caeleb DresselSwimming · Butterfly, Freestyle	Swimming	United States	Olympic Gold Medalsx5	5
12	Leon MarchandSwimming · Breaststroke, Individual Medley, Butterfly	Swimming	France	Olympic Gold Medalsx5	5
13	Adam PeatySwimming · Breaststroke	Swimming	United Kingdom	Olympic Gold Medalsx5	5
14	Torri HuskeSwimming · Butterfly, Freestyle, Individual Medley	Swimming	United States	Olympic Gold Medalsx5	5
15	Kaylee McKeownSwimming · Backstroke, Individual Medley	Swimming	Australia	Olympic Gold Medalsx5	5
16	Mollie O'CallaghanSwimming · Freestyle	Swimming	Australia	Olympic Gold Medalsx6	6
17	Pan ZhanleSwimming · Freestyle	Swimming	China	Olympic Games Gold Medalx5	5
18	Emma McKeonSwimming · Freestyle, Butterfly	Swimming	Australia	Olympic Gold Medalsx5	5
19	Federica PellegriniSwimming · Freestyle	Swimming	Italy	Olympic Gold Medalx5	5
20	Nathan AdrianSwimming · Freestyle	Swimming	United States	Olympic Gold Medalsx4	4
21	Gretchen WalshSwimming · Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly	Swimming	United States	Olympic Medalsx5	5
22	Regan SmithSwimming · Backstroke, Butterfly	Swimming	United States	Olympic Gamesx4	4

Methodology: compiled from each athlete's documented honours, records and public estimates on their AthleteWiki profile. All 22 eligible athletes ranked. Updated 2026-07-14.