Top Five Greatest Olympic Swimmers of All Time
Have you ever thought of what it takes to be a great swimmer? Well, it is not the easiest of sports, considering its intricacies and fitness requirement, you might think, why on this earth one would like to be a swimmer? However, if you have been a swimmer, not in a professional sense but rather as someone who just loves to swim, then you can definitely understand how beautiful it feels to play under the water. It can be really adventurous and fun depending on how you take the game. In this article, we are about cover the history and legacy of some top-notch swimmers, especially who made their mark in Olympic swimming events.
Below mentioned are the five top swimmers of all time who has inspired a lot of youngsters to take swimming as a serious sport.
5. Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps, the most competent swimmer, has broken records brutally, in his career, he has won 22 medals that include 18 gold, 2silver, and 2 bronze. Seeing his intense passion for gold medals, you can call him the King Midas of the swimming. Interestingly, he broke Mark –Spitz's medal per — game record and also holds the record of maximum gold medals won by any athlete in Olympic; in 2008 he won 8 gold medals to make this astounding record.
4. Mark Spitz
Mark Spitz made history while he won 7 gold in 1972 Olympic, it took swimming community by storm, never before such performance was recorded in the whole history of Olympic. His record stood for 36 years. In his career, he garnered 33 world records and no wonder he is popularly known as “Mark the Shark” looking at his records it is absolutely justifiable to call him “Mark the Shark.”
3. Johnny Weissmuller
Johnny Weissmuller, the most acclaimed swimmer who has never lost a backstroke-race; in other terms, in this particular form he remains invincible. In total, he won 5 gold and two bronze medals in two successive Olympics which eventually earned him a place in international swimming hall of fame. Beyond Olympic, he has won 52 championships in various other competitions. Certainly, a legendary performance, isn’t it?
2. Rowdy Gaines
Rowdy Gaines popularly known as freestyle champion, he is the master of freestyle race, he had won three gold medals in 4×100 Meter freestyle relay, 100-meter freestyle, and 4×100-meter medley relay. He holds the rare record of winning in all the freestyle distance races, certainly an achievement of the highest standards.
1. Vladimir Salnikov
Vladimir Salnikov, known as “Monster in waves” he truly lived up to his reputation, he completed 800 meters race in less than 8 minutes, by far no one had ever reached the level of proficiency he displayed when it came to speed. He defined speed and also demonstrated what it takes to be the fastest under the water; he leads our list of top 5 Olympic swimmers of all time.
These legends have entertained us, displayed a tough character and also inspired us. Considering the competition level in Olympic swimming, you can definitely say, these people define determination and dedication to the fullest.
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