4. THE WINNER OF THE MOST MEDALS AT THE SUMMER OLYMPICS
1. Larissa Latynina - 18 Medals, 9 Gold
Country - USSR
Sport: Gymnastics
Finally we have the winning-est Summer Olympian in history - another tiny gymnast who probably weighed 80 pounds soaking wet, but considerably more when wearing all her medals at once. Born in Kherson in the Ukraine and educated at Kiev State Institute, Latynina originally trained as a ballet dancer. In what can only be described as a very good decision, she switched to gymnastics, and an Olympic career in which she would go on to win 9 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze medals.
In 1956, 1960 and 1964, she won the floor exercise and the team competition. In addition, she won the all-around competition in 1956 and 1960. After she retired from competition, she went on to coach future successful Russian gymnastics teams, and she also helped to plan the 1980 Summer Olympic games in Moscow.
