The legacy of the great Olympic champions: passion, sacrifice, and triumph throughout history.

The Olympic spirit, full of passion, sacrifice, and triumph, has been embodied over the years by exceptional athletes who have left an indelible mark on the history of the Olympic Games. These are the athletes who have not only reached the top once, but have remained there, accumulating medal after medal in different editions of the world's greatest competition. In the pool, a Baltimore shark became the undisputed legend: Michael Phelps. With a total of 28 Olympic medals, including an astonishing record of 23 golds, Phelps has dominated the Summer Games with unparalleled mastery. From his beginnings in Sydney 2000 to his dazzling farewell in Rio 2016, the American swimmer has been synonymous with excellence and dedication. But not only in the water have Olympic legends been forged. Artistic gymnastics has witnessed figures like Larisa Latynina, the female athlete with the most Olympic medals in history. With a total of 18 medals, the Soviet gymnast captured the hearts of the public with her skill and elegance at the Melbourne 1956, Rome 1960, and Tokyo 1964 Games. In the world of rings and bars, Nikolai Andrianov shone brightly. Known as the "Nureyev of gymnastics," the Soviet gymnast captivated the audience in Munich 1972, Montreal 1976, and Moscow 1980, accumulating a total of 15 Olympic medals and leaving an indelible mark in the history of his discipline. Fencing also had its icon in Edoardo Mangiarotti, the Italian fencer who collected 13 Olympic medals throughout his career. With exceptional mastery of the foil and the sword, Mangiarotti became a legend at the Berlin 1936, Helsinki 1952, and Rome 1960 Games, demonstrating admirable skill and longevity in his sport. In men's gymnastics, the figure of Boris Shakhlin stands as a symbol of excellence and perseverance. With 13 Olympic medals to his name, the Soviet gymnast left an indelible mark at the Melbourne 1956, Rome 1960, and Tokyo 1964 Games, demonstrating technical mastery and absolute dominance in his discipline. Canoeing found its queen in Birgit Fischer, the German who became the youngest canoeist to win an Olympic medal at the Moscow 1980 Games. With a total of 8 Olympic medals, Fischer demonstrated exceptional skill in the water, conquering the podium in Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000, among others. In swimming, Jenny Thompson emerged as the most decorated swimmer in history, with 12 Olympic medals to her name. With impeccable dominance in team relay events, Thompson left her mark at the Barcelona 1992, Athens 2004, and other editions of the Games, demonstrating a consistency and excellence that made her a water legend. Olympic equestrianism found its great exponent in Isabell Werth, the German equestrian who dazzled in Dressage with unmatched precision and artistry. With a total of 10 Olympic medals, Werth left her mark in Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Beijing 2008, and more, demonstrating exceptional resilience and talent in her discipline. Finally, in swimming, Dara Torres stood out for her exceptional career and sporting longevity. Competing until the age of 41 at the Beijing 2008 Games, Torres amassed 12 Olympic medals throughout her career, demonstrating unwavering determination and passion in every competition. These exceptional athletes are an example of dedication, excellence, and passion for sport, leaving a legacy that will endure in the history of the Olympic Games and in the hearts of millions of fans around the world. Their spirit of overcoming challenges and triumph continues to inspire new generations of athletes to pursue their dreams and achieve greatness in the world's most important sporting competition.