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Ledecky vs Phelps
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Time range
Showing full careers. Pick a window to re-score dominance, peak, longevity and honours for that period only.
Category radar
Verdict
Weighted GOAT score
🇺🇸 Michael Phelps
0.0
Phelps leads on 5 of 5 weighted categories. 23 Olympic golds across five Games — the most decorated Olympian in history.
1. Michael Phelps
2. Katie Ledecky
Category breakdown
Season form · Form index per season
Career stage · GOAT pace
Through season 5 · Form index per season1. 🇺🇸 Katie Ledecky5 seasons played450 major golds
Setting the pace at this stage
2. 🇺🇸 Michael Phelps5 seasons played366 major golds
-18.7% vs Ledecky at the same stage
Careers are aligned at debut, so a rookie's first 5 seasons are measured against the same window in a legend's career — Yamal against Messi at the same age-stage, a tour rookie against Tiger Woods in 1996.