Some celebrity athletes achieve their fame by excelling as professionals in their sports. However, some are amateurs who come to prominence thanks to their appearances in the Olympic Games. Here are ten such Olympic stars!
Jesse Owens
The incomparable Jesse Owens needs no introduction. He represented Team USA in track and field during the 1936 Berlin Olympics. That means he represented America as a black athlete in front of Adolf Hitler. And, oh yeah, he won not one but four gold medals in front of some of the nastiest villains in history.
Ian Thorpe
Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe, affectionately known as the “Thorpedo” is one of the best freestyle swimmers to ever compete in the sport. Thorpe snapped up five gold medals during his Olympic career. His advocacy for athletes’ rights and focus on mental health make him a huge figure in the world of Olympic sports.
Birgit Fischer
German canoeing champ Birgit Fischer competed in the Olympics for over twenty years. She brought home 12 total medals, including 8 gold medals, making her a famous figure in the sport. She was particularly celebrated in Germany during her string of victories, and is still renowned as one of canoeing’s foremost ambassadors.
Larisa Latynina
Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina held an impressive record for decades. Her performance in the 1956, 1960, and 1964 games saw her bring home 18 total gold medals. It wouldn’t be until Michael Phelps won 23 medals that anyone would ever break her long-held record.
Nadia Comăneci
Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci made history when she became the first gymnast to ever score a perfect 10 in an Olympic competition. She was only 14 when she accomplished this stunning feat at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Comăneci is credited with revolutionizing gymnastics and elevating the sport to new heights.
Carl Lewis
Unparalleled US track and field star Carl Lewis became very famous due to his phenomenal run of nine gold medals across his Olympic appearances. He was an outspoken advocate for fairness, competition, and athletic excellence. Lewis remains a role model for athletes in many fields to this day.
Yusuf Dikec
Yusuf Dikec, a Turkish pistol shooter, is basking in the warm glow of recognition after his silver medal-winning performance in the Paris games. He impressively snagged a second-place finish in the 10-meter air pistol event—without using specialized eyewear or ear protection.
Simone Biles
Beloved gymnast and icon Simone Biles is one of the best athletes to ever compete in her sport. She’s won six gold medals, adding two from Paris this year to the four she won in Rio in 2016. This helped erase any doubts after her early withdrawal from the Tokyo games in 2021.
Read More: The 10 Youngest Olympic Medalists Ever to Compete
Usain Bolt
The Fastest Man Alive set Olympic records that are unlikely to ever be broken. The charismatic sprinter rose to prominence due to his winning personality—and winning Olympic track and field performances. He won an unprecedented eight Olympic gold medals during his career.
Read More: The 10 Most Absurd Broken Olympic Records in History
Michael Phelps
Legendary swimmer Michael Phelps has some pretty remarkable biological advantages that made him unbeatable in the pool—his arms are longer than his frame would suggest, he doesn’t build up lactic acid, and he’s got a training regimen that no one else could match. He parlayed these advantages to an absurd record of 23 gold medals and has become synonymous with the Olympics.
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