In 2012 American swimmer Michael Phelps, became the most decorated Olympian of all time. He made history in the Olympic Aquatic Centre in London when he won four gold and two silver medals to take his career total of medals won to 22 - made up of 18 gold, two silver and two bronze.
In 2008 in Beijing, he famously won eight gold medals to beat the long-standing record of seven gold medals at one Olympiad held by Laureus World Sports Academy Member Mark Spitz from Munich in 1972. In London, he became the first man ever to defend an Olympic title – 100m butterfly and 200m medley – at three Olympiads.
