ThebestoftheOlympians Below is a table of the most successful Olympic athletes. Examine it and answer the questions underneath.
No. Athlete Nation
1 Michael Phelps
2
Larisa Latynina
3 Paavo Nurmi
4 Mark Spitz
5 Carl Lewis
6 6
Bjørn Dæhlie
Birgit Fischer
8 Sawao Kato
8
Jenny Thompson
10 Matt Biondi
United States
Soviet Union
United States
United States
Sport
Swimming 2004– 2008
Years Games Gender Gold Silver Bronze Total Summer M 14
0
Gymnastics 1956– 1964
Finland Athletics 1920– 1928
Swimming 1968– 1972
Athletics 1984– 1996
Norway Cross- country skiing
Japan
United States
United States
1992– 1998
Germany Canoeing 1980– 2004
Gymnastics 1968– 1976
Swimming 1992– 2004
Swimming 1984– 1992
Summer F Summer M Summer M Summer M Winter M Summer F Summer M Summer F Summer M 9 9 9 9 8 8 8 8 8 5 3 1 1 4 4 3 3 2 2 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 16 18 12 11 10 12 12 12 12 11
1. Why do you think Larissa Latynina is not at the top of the table? 2. How many medals altogether did a.) Americans b.) Europeans win? 3. In which sport were the most medals won? 4. Which country in the table no longer exists? By what name is it known today? 5. Which athlete had the longest Olympic career? 6. Find out as much as you can about Irish men and women who have won Olympic medals.