via Getty
TOPSHOT – USA’s Michael Phelps competes in a Men’s 200m Individual Medley heat during the swimming event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 10, 2016. / AFP / François-Xavier MARIT (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP via Getty Images)
via Getty
TOPSHOT – USA’s Michael Phelps competes in a Men’s 200m Individual Medley heat during the swimming event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 10, 2016. / AFP / François-Xavier MARIT (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP via Getty Images)
None can deny that the United States of America is a conveyor belt for producing world-class swimmers. Be it Michael Phelps, Caeleb Dressel, Ryan Lochte, Katie Ledecky, and Mark Spitz, they have the best in the business. Moreover, they dominate the gold-medal charts as well by winning many medals throughout their Olympic appearances.
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In an interesting statistic, American swimmers have set the number of world records, this century. And in terms of who leads that list, well, there is no doubt about that; It’s the ‘Baltimore Bullet’ himself.
Michael Phelps is the king
According to Swimming Stats, they set the list according to the long and short course individual records set between 2001-2021. In the top ten on the list, six American swimmers dominate in terms of records set. Unsurprisingly, Michael Phelps leads the way with 29 records set.
Notably, he set all those records during the long course competitions. That showcases the dominance he established in the pool. Former backstroke specialist, Aaron Peirsol stands second with 15 world records. Two of those records came in the short course competitions. Ryan Lochte ranks third with 14 records.
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Likewise, Ian Crocker and Ed Moses rank sixth and seventh, respectively. To sum up the Americans, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Caeleb Dressel comes up in eighth with seven world records broken. Despite all that dominance from other swimmers, reaching 29 is not easy.
Phelps still holds three world records; two with the relay team and the 400-meters individual medley world record by setting a time of 04:03.84. He has won 94 FINA and Olympic Medals.
READ MORE- Usain Bolt’s Olympics Record Compared With Other Greats Like Michael Phelps
Dressel and Peaty- The current best
The two people who can get higher up the list are Caeleb Dressel and Adam Peaty. Dressel won five Olympic gold medals at last year’s Tokyo Olympics. He also broke Phelps’ 100-meter butterfly record, swimming his way to a 49.45. He is a dominant freestyle swimmer, while his vertical leap may be the best in the business.
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On the other hand, there is Adam Peaty; Hands down, the best breaststroke swimmer of all time. Owning the top 20 times in the 100-meters breaststroke, he is a different breed altogether.
During the finals of the first day of the British Swimming Selection Trials, Adam Peaty won the men’s 100 breaststroke with a 57.39. This is the 5th fastest performance in history. He already had set a 57.70 in the heats, and now he owns the 20 fastest performances of all time. pic.twitter.com/Kj8BNO92zw
— Swimming Stats (@SwimmingStats) April 14, 2021
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Despite all the commitment and determination shown by these two talented swimmers, Phelps stands untouchable. He and Usain Bolt are the greatest Olympians of all time for the supremacy they’ve showcased on the grandest of all stages.
WATCH THIS STORY- Usain Bolt’s Net Worth 2022 Compared to Other Sporting Greats Like Roger Federer, Mike Tyson, Lewis Hamilton, and Others
