Olympic Icons: The Legends Who Defined Sporting Greatness

Some athletes carve out singular moments that echo through the ages while others depart their respective sports laden with numerous medals. Crafting such considerations into a coherent ranking of the greatest summer Olympians is a subjective endeavor one that PA Olympics Correspondent Mark Staniforth has undertaken here.

10. Jackie Joyner-Kersee:
Regarded as one of the greatest all-around female athletes, Joyner-Kersee dominated the heptathlon with back-to-back golds in 1988 and 1992 along with a gold in the long jump in 1988. Her illustrious career concluded with bronze medals in 1992 and 1996.

9. Florence Griffith-Joyner:
Nicknamed ‘Flo-Jo’, Griffith-Joyner’s remarkable performance at a single Olympics included gold in the 100m, 200m (setting a world record of 21.34secs) and relay. Despite her athletic prowess, her career was overshadowed by unsubstantiated drugs allegations and she tragically passed away in 1998 at 38.

8. Paavo Nurmi:
The Finnish middle and long-distance runner dominated the Olympics from 1920 to 1928 winning nine golds and 12 medals in total. Notably, he won both the 1500m and 5,000m golds at the 1924 Games within a span of just 90 minutes.

7. Mark Spitz:
After a disappointing 1968 Olympics, Spitz returned in 1972 with a vengeance clinching seven gold medals and setting seven world records. His remarkable feat stood for 16 years before his early retirement at 22.

6. Usain Bolt:
Bolt electrified the sprint events, winning three consecutive 100m and 200m titles across three Games. His iconic ‘Lightning Bolt’ celebration became synonymous with his dominance ending his career with eight gold medals.

5. Carl Lewis:
A long-time force in track and field, Lewis defended his Olympic 100m title in 1984 and 1988 and secured four consecutive long-jump golds. His career was marred by controversy, notably involving Ben Johnson’s disqualification in Seoul.

4. Michael Phelps:
Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history, with 28 medals including 13 individual golds. His eight gold medals in swimming at the 2008 Games surpassed Spitz’s record. Phelps capped his illustrious career with five more golds in Rio.

3. Teofilo Stevenson:
The Cuban heavyweight boxer claimed gold in three consecutive Olympics, aligning himself with Fidel Castro’s cause and rejecting lucrative offers to turn professional.

2. Nadia Comaneci:
Comaneci achieved gymnastic perfection with a perfect 10 score on the uneven bars in 1976. She won five gold medals in total, leaving an indelible mark on the sport at a young age.

1. Jesse Owens:
Despite not amassing the same medal count as subsequent athletes, Owens’ four golds at the 1936 Games in front of Hitler symbolized his defiance against racism and persecution earning him the title of the greatest Olympian of all time.