Both Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt are considered to be greats in sporting history. Phelps holds several records to his name, including the most Olympic gold medals in the tournament’s history. No athlete has ever achieved an Olympic feat as huge as Phelps. Similar to Phelps, Bolt is the greatest sprinter in history and holds many accolades to his name.

Their sporting prowess and success seem like an unachievable feat from the looks of it. Once a British historian claimed that there might never be an athlete as accomplished as Phelps and Bolt ever again.

The unachievable legacy of Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt

Both Phelps and Bolt are now happily retired athletes. Both the stars of their respective sports competed at their last Olympics in Rio. Even though it was not official then, there were talks about the two great Olympians appearing for one final time on the Olympic stage.

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British sports historian Tony Collins once stated there would never be an athlete like Phelps and Bolt. “Phelps’ achievement at the Olympics is unlikely ever to be matched.  The sheer enormity of his medal haul, not to mention his non-Olympic record, makes him the greatest Olympian of all time,” Collins was quoted by the NY Times.

Since Phelps and Bolt were on the verge of retirement, Collins expressed, “Whether they can continue in their current form is open to question, and that means that we may never again witness athletes dominating global tournaments in the same way as Bolt and Phelps.”

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Collins also compared the Olympics’ increasing toppling to that of the FIFA World Cup due to the increasing scandals, obscurity, and many such negative affairs.

What makes Phelps and Bolt the GOATs of the Olympics?

Known as “The Flying Fish,” Phelps is a 28-time Olympic medalist and holds several Olympic records in swimming. He has also won 23 Olympic gold medals, the most by any athlete in tournament history.

On the other hand, the “Lightening Bolt” is still the world record holder in the 100m, 200m, and 4×100m relay. Bolt is also an 11-time World Champion and won consecutive gold medals at various prestigious events. Hence, the Jamaican sprinter is said to be the most successful male athlete of the World Championships.

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Although both athletes have retired and not competing in any events, their records would not be easy to achieve.