A lifelong dream for most athletes is getting inducted into the Hall of Fame. However, only a select few get the opportunity to have this dream fulfilled. It is finally becoming a reality for decorated Olympians like Michael Phelps and Lindsey Vonn.

Previously, Team USA introduced a list of 15 Olympians nominated for the latest class of the US Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame. The list included the names of prominent former athletes who had made significant contributions to their sport.

The list of nominees also comprised nine Paralympians, three Olympic teams, and two Paralympic teams. It also included six legends, three coaches, and three special contributors to sports.

Michael Phelps and Lindsey Vonn among finalists

However, the governing body announced that from the list of nominees, only the names of five Olympians, three Paralympians, one Olympic team, and one Paralympic team for the Class of 2022 Hall of Fame would be finalized.

The selection of athletes for the induction process was based on public votes. The online voting lines were open till May 16.

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The results are in, and Phelps and Vonn have made it to the list of finalists. The three other Olympics shortlisted from the list of 15 athletes are Natalie Coughlin, Mia Hamm (Soccer), and Michelle Kwan (Figure Skating).

Apart from Phelps, Coughlin was the only other swimmer who made it to the list of nominees for the induction ceremony. And she will join Phelps in the Class of 2022.

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The nominated Olympians included Kristin Armstrong, Shani Davis, Cammi Granato, Kayla Harrison, Eleanor ‘Elle’ Logan, Julia Mancuso, Bode Miller, John Smith, Dawn Staley, and Brenda Villa.

With a tally of 28 Olympic medals, Phelps is the most decorated on the list of Olympians. And although Vonn has a lesser medal count against her name, she retired as one of the most decorated alpine skiers in US history.

Moreover, with 12 Olympic medals, Coughlin is the Olympian with the second-most medal count.

Other finalists on the Hall of Fame list

However, an athlete on the list has surpassed Phelps’ medal count by a large margin. It is Paralympian swimmer Trischa Zorn-Hudson who has bagged 55 medals, including 41 golds, during her career.

Furthermore, inductees also include Paralympians Muffy Davis, David Kiley, and the 2002 sled hockey Paralympic team.

The finalists also include the 1976 US women’s swimming 4x100m freestyle relay Olympic team. The upcoming ceremony will also induct coach Pat Summitt, Alpine skier Gretchen Fraser and hurdler Roger Kingdom. They will be inducted as legends. Moreover, Billie Jean King will also join the Class of 2022 as a special contributor.

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Moreover, this year is the first time in the event’s history that the team categories have been separated. The ceremony will be conducted on January 24, the first time in three years since its revival in 2019.