When most people think of the overall Olympic swimming medal counts, their thoughts immediately jump right toward the United States’ accomplished swimmers. Indeed, the United States reigns supreme when it comes to Olympic swimming competitions. In total, the United States has 488 Olympic swimming medals. Out of those medals, 214 are gold 155 are silver and 119 are bronze.
Australia has the second most Olympic swimming medals with 169. Out of these medals, 56 are gold, 54 are silver and 59 are bronze. East Germany comes in third with 92 total Olympic swimming medals (38 gold). The United Kingdom comes in fourth with 70 medals (16 gold). The Soviet Union rounds out the top 5 with 69 medals (18 gold).
Michael Phelps is by far the top swimmer in Olympic history. He has 22 total medals, 18 of which are gold. The top 5 male swimming medalists are actually all from the United States. Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history. His 18 gold medals are double the next closest total. He won a remarkable 8 medals in the 2009 Beijing Games.
Swimming is Australia’s most successful Olympic sport. Overall, four different Australian swimmers have three gold medals apiece. Shane Gould snagged all three of his in the 1972 games. Ian Thorpe has a silver and a bronze medal in addition to his three gold medals. Murray Rose and Dawn Fraser each have three gold medals and a silver medal.
One of the most notable swimmers from East Germany was Kornelia Ender. She became the first woman to ever win four gold medals at a single Olympic Games. She set world record times for each medal. Unfortunately, it was later proven that East German doctors supplied their athletes, including Ender, with steroids.
The United Kingdom’s most accomplished Olympic swimmer is Henry Taylor. He earned three gold medals in the 1908 London Olympic games. He also won two bronze medals as a result of his spectacular performances in the 1912 Stockholm Games and the 1920 Antwerp Games.