Prior to the start of the 2012 games, the most total medals won by a single athlete is 18 by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latyninawho competed in 1956, 1960, and 1964.
The most held by a male athlete is 16 by Michael Phelpsof the US, who has 14 gold and 2 bronze. The 14 gold (2004 and 2008) are also the most by any Olympic athlete. 10 of his medals are in individual events and 6 in team competition.
The male athlete with the most individual medals is Soviet gymnast Nicolai Andrianov with 12 medals, including 6 gold, between 1972 and 1980.
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Michael Phelps (22 medals).
Michael Phelps of the US has the most olympic gold medals (14 total in 2004 and 2008) and the most medals by a male athlete (16 including his 2 bronze medals).
Sir Steven Redgrave has won the most gold medals by a British athlete, with 5 (coxed four 1984, 2000, coxed pair 1988, 1992, 1996) and has also won one bronze (coxed four 1988).
Micheal Phelps the swimmer from the U.S.A. has won the most medals
Taking all international athletes into consideration, the one with the most Olympic medals overall is a Russian-Ukranian, Larissa Latynina. A former Soviet gymnast, she won more Olympic medals than anyone in history, male or female, in any sport. She won 18 medals; nine gold medals, five silver and four bronze.