They give out a lot of medals at the Summer Olympics. With the latest addition to the roster for the 2000 Olympics, "gymnastic trampoline," it wouldn't be that strange if they began tossing a few medals out to the spectators in the near future. But as always, there are always those few athletes who not only win, but win a lot. Think of this list as a tribute to those who never got their chance to appear on a Wheaties box.

As you'll see from our list, there are two apparent common factors among most of the top medal winners: being a boy and being a gymnast. Also, aside from a couple of swimmers, Americans are conspicuously absent from this list. Even Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis, each with four medals in a single Olympic year, didn't make the cut. We'll revisit this list after the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, but until then, relish the Olympic glory of these amazing athletes.

1. MEDALISTS 10 - 8

10. Vera Caslavska - 11 Medals, 7 Gold
Country: Czechoslovakia
Sport: Gymnastics

Born in Prague, young Vera began as a figure skater, but switched to gymnastics at the wizened age of 15. One of her first major events was the 1962 World Championships, at which she placed a close second to Larissa Latynina, a name you'll see again in our list.

Caslavska went on to achieve many other triumphs in the gymnastics world, but none quite as spectacular as her last Olympics in 1968. She won gold medals in combined exercises, uneven bars, floor exercise, and vault, and she racked up a couple of silver medals as well, just making it onto our list in the last major event of her career.


9. Matt Biondi - 11 Medals, 8 Gold

Country: United States
Sport: Swimming

One of only two Americans to really rake in the medals, Biondi was born in Moraga, California. Urban legend states that Biondi swam across a large body of water to get to and from school each day-against the current in both directions! He competed in three Olympics: 1984 (Los Angeles), 1988 (Seoul), and 1992 (Barcelona).

In the 1988 Olympics, he became only the second swimmer to earn 7 medals in one Olympiad, the other being Mark Spitz. (Ya gotta love that segue)


8. Mark Spitz - 11 Medals, 9 Gold
Country: United States
Sport: Swimming

Speaking of Mark Spitz, this native Californian swimmer is famous for having won 7 gold medals at the 1972 summer games in Munich. His first Olympics was actually in 1968, though he didn't perform up to his capabilities. In the interim before the next games, he went to Indiana University and won several NCAA and National championships, and then went over to Munich to really show them how it was done.

After his 1968 triumph, Spitz retired from swimming until 1992, when he tried (unsuccessfully) to qualify for the 1992 summer games. He shoulda left well enough alone.