At the 2008 Games in Beijing, that was Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe who won gold in women's 200 meter backstroke and silver in women's 100 meter backstroke, women's 200 meter individual medley, and women's 400 meter individual medley.
She also won three medals at the 2004 Games in Athens, a gold in women's 200 meter backstroke, silver in women's 100 meter backstroke, and bronze in women's 200 meter individual medley.
At the last two Olympics (2004 and 2008), Kirsty Coventry has been entered in seven events and won seven medals.
Claire Allen
Most golds won by a female in a single Games - 6 by swimmer Kristin Otto (GDR)
Janet Evans was the female swimmer from the United States that won three gold medals in 1988 at the Olympics. She was an outstanding athlete in college before the Olympics.
Rebecca Adlington
As far as total medals won ... through the 2008 Games swimmer Michael Phelps has won 16 medals and swimmers Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres have won 12. As far as gold medals won ... through the 2008 Games swimmer Michael Phelps has won 14 and swimmer Mark Spitz and track and field's Carl Lewis have won 9.
Through the 2008 Games, that would be swimmer Penelope Heyns with 2 gold medals. She won gold in the 100 meter breaststroke and 200 meter breaststroke at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.
Swimmer Michael Phelps of the United States who won 8 gold medals.
No individual athlete won seven gold medals in 1988. Swimmer Kristin Otto of East Germany won the most gold medals with 6.
Michael Phelps, swimmer, won the most gold medals in Olympic history.
Danyon Loader
That is swimmer Michael Phelps who has won 16 Olympic medals (14 gold, 2 bronze). With regard to U.S. athletes, indeed, Michael Phelps has won the most Olympic medals. However, 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.
a female gymnastic that won 18 union medals