Michael Phelps has won so many more medals than any other Olympian that it makes for a pretty dull discussion when he’s compared to individual athletes. But let’s pretend he’s a country — the Republic of Phelps. How does his career medal total stack up against all the countries that have competed in the Summer and Winter Olympics since the dawn of the modern games in 1896? Phelps went out on top Saturday night, winning one last gold in the 4×100-meter medley relay in his final race in Rio, and according to him, his final competitive race ever. Of course, that’s what he said after the 2012 Olympics. That was his 23rd career gold medal and would place the Republic of Phelps in 39th place for most gold medals won by a country, all-time, Summer and Winter Games combined.
If Michael Phelps Were A Country, Where Would His Gold Medal Tally Rank?
