Natalie Coughlin of the USA won a total of 5 medals in Beijing. 1 Gold, 2 Silver, and 3 bronze This was the most a women has every won in a single olympic games...
Michael Phelps, USA Swimming
Michael Phelps (22 medals).
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Micheal Phelps-8 gold-swimming-America 7 world records-1 olympic record
LARISSA LATYNINA has more Olympic medals than anyone in history, male or female, in any sport. She holds the record for winning the most Olympic medals at 18 (nine gold medals, five silver and four bronze). She is the only female athlete to win nine Olympic gold medals. She also holds the record for most individual medals (14 outside of team events) in Olympic history.
The most won by a single athlete is 8 - Mark Spitz of the USA. (Swimming)
Currently Michael Phelps holds the world record for the most Olympic medals won at 22 medals.
Jim Thorpe
As of this point in time, Mark Spitz holds that title with 11 medals in swimming: 9 gold, 1 silver, and one bronze. Michael Phelps came close to Spitz' 9 gold medals at the 2004 games, but unfortunately fell short of that goal.
Michael Phelps the SWIMMER
Germany
australia