Most successful Olympians in history

LONDON, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Following is a list of the most successful summer Olympians (tabulated under name, country, years, sport, and gold, silver, bronze and total medals):

1. Michael Phelps, United States 2004-2008 Swimming 15-2-2 19

2. Larisa Latynina, Soviet Union 1956-1964 Gymnastics 9-5-4 18

3. Paavo Nurmi, Finland 1920-1928 Athletics 9-3-0 12

4. Mark Spitz, United States 1968-1972 Swimming 9-1-1 11

5. Carl Lewis, United States 1984-1996 Athletics 9-1-0 10

6. Birgit Fischer, Germany 1980-2004 Canoeing 8-4-0 12

7. Sawao Kato, Japan 1968-1976 Gymnastics 8-3-1 12

8. Jenny Thompson, United States 1992-2004 Swimming 8-3-1 12

9. Matt Biondi, United States 1984-1992 Swimming 8-2-1 11

10. Ray C Ewry, United States 1900-1908 Athletics 8-0-0 8

11. Nikolai Andrianov, Soviet U. 1972-1980 Gymnastics 7-5-3 15

12. Boris Shakhlin, Soviet Union 1956-1964 Gymnastics 7-4-2 13

13. Vera Caslavska, Czechoslovakia 1960-1968 Gymnastics 7-4-0 11

14. Viktor Shukarin, Soviet Union 1952-1956 Gymnastics 7-3-1 11

15. Aladar Gerevich, Hungary 1932-1960 Fencing 7-1-2 10

16. Edoardo Mangiarotti, Italy 1936-1960 Fencing 6-5-2 13

17. Hubert van Innis, Belgium 1900-1920 Archery 6-3-0 9

18. Akinori Nakayama, Japan 1968-1972 Gymnastics 6-2-2 10

19. Gert Fredriksson, Sweden 1948-1960 Canoeing 6-1-1 8

20. Vitaly Sherbo, CIS/Belarus 1992-1996 Gymnastics 6-0-4 10