4. 4 x 100m Medley (2008)
The Stars and Stripes played so often around Phelps that it could have been his ringtone. He was unstoppable in the pool as he broke countless Olympic records. Firstly, he became the most successful male Olympian in history. Fellow swimmer Mark Spitz held the record for 36 years with seven golds. But Phelps soared past this as he won his eighth in Beijing (via The Guardian).

Finally, he became the highest-achieving Olympian ever, overtaking Larisa Latynina. The Soviet gymnast won the last of 18 medals in the 1964 Tokyo Games. Phelps competed in London and Rio De Janeiro to put his medal count at 28. Meanwhile, Phelps is a world record-holder in many styles. He also won many awards throughout his career in recognition of his achievements.