Is Michael Phelps the greatest Olympian Ever?

No.

1. Jim Thorpe, United States, Decathlon and pentathlon gold 1912

2. Sonja Henie, Norway,Figure skating gold 1928-1932-1936

3. Jesse Owens, United States, 4 track and field gold 1936

4. Paavo Nurmi, Finland, 9 gold, 12 medals long distance running 1920-1924-1928

5. Michael Phelps, United States, 15 swimming gold 2004-2008

6. Carl Lewis, United States, 9 gold, 10 medals track and field 1984-1988-1992-1996

7. Larissa Latynina, Soviet Union, 18 gymnastics medals

8. Emil Zatopek, Czechoslovakia, 4 long distance running gold 1948-1952

9. Mark Spitz, United States, 7 swimming gold 1972

10. Eric Heiden, United States, 5 speed skating gold 1980

11. Bob Beamon, United States, Long jump gold 1968, jumped 2’ further than anyone ever

12. Fanny Blankers-Koen, Netherlands, 4 track and field gold 1948

13. Bjorn Dahle, Norway, 8 XC ski gold, 12 total medals 1992-1994-1998

14 (tie). Florence Griffith-Joyner, United States, 3 track and field gold + 1 silver 1988

     Jackie Joyner-Kersee, United States, Gold in pentathlon and long jump 1988

16. Johnny Weismuller, United States, 5 swimming gold 1924-1928

17. Babe Didrickson, United States, 2 track and field gold + 1 silver 1932

18. Wilma Rudolph, United States, 3 track and field gold 1960

19. Nadia Comaneci, Romania, 3 gold, 5 gymnastics medals, 7 perfect 10s 1976

20. Lisa Fernandez, United States, Pitcher, gold medal softball team, out-scored opp. 51-1 2004