- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2010–2022
- Country
- 🇩🇰 Denmark
- Peak
- 94.0
- Dominance
- 82.0
- Statistics
- 88.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 80.0
GOAT Rank · 194
Greatest retired Swimmers
This ranking is led by Michael Phelps, Therese Alshammar and Michael Gross. GOAT Rank currently ranks 194 eligible swimmers using verified career records across dominance, peak, longevity, honours and statistics.
Quick answer
According to GOAT Rank's current model, Michael Phelps ranks #1 on this list with a GOAT Score of 98.1.
How the GOAT Score is calculated →#AthleteGOAT Score
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1998–2012
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 94.0
- Dominance
- 82.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 82.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1984–1992
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 84.0
- Statistics
- 88.0
- Honours
- 88.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1988–1992
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 96.0
- Dominance
- 88.0
- Statistics
- 92.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 66.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1994–2001
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 88.0
- Statistics
- 88.0
- Honours
- 88.0
- Longevity
- 68.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1962–1968
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 94.0
- Dominance
- 88.0
- Statistics
- 88.0
- Honours
- 86.0
- Longevity
- 68.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1967–1972
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 94.0
- Dominance
- 88.0
- Statistics
- 88.0
- Honours
- 86.0
- Longevity
- 66.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1980–1992
- Country
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 88.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 84.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1995–2008
- Country
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 84.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 78.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1994–2004
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 84.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 78.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1996–2007
- Country
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 84.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 78.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1971–1976
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 96.0
- Dominance
- 86.0
- Statistics
- 90.0
- Honours
- 86.0
- Longevity
- 64.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1999–2016
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 82.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 84.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1921–1928
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 96.0
- Dominance
- 88.0
- Statistics
- 88.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 66.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2000–2016
- Country
- 🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 88.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2003–2013
- Country
- 🇫🇷 France
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 84.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1984–1992
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 84.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 76.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1986–1993
- Country
- 🇧🇾 Belarus
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 82.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 88.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1992–2004
- Country
- 🇷🇴 Romania
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 82.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1997–2004
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 86.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 70.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1998–2012
- Country
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 84.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2000–2021
- Country
- 🇿🇦 South Africa
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 88.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2004–2016
- Country
- 🇭🇺 Hungary
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 82.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 80.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1996–2008
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 86.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2008–2021
- Country
- 🇷🇺 Russia
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 88.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 84.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2003–2021
- Country
- 🇮🇹 Italy
- Peak
- 86.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 88.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1986–1996
- Country
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 80.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2008–2016
- Country
- 🇫🇷 France
- Peak
- 94.0
- Dominance
- 84.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 86.0
- Longevity
- 66.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1993–2002
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 84.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2008–2012
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 94.0
- Dominance
- 86.0
- Statistics
- 88.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 64.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1968–1976
- Country
- 🇷🇺 Russia
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1993–2009
- Country
- 🇮🇹 Italy
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 74.0
- Statistics
- 90.0
- Honours
- 78.0
- Longevity
- 88.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1975–1980
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 94.0
- Dominance
- 84.0
- Statistics
- 88.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 64.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1973–1977
- Country
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- Peak
- 94.0
- Dominance
- 84.0
- Statistics
- 88.0
- Honours
- 86.0
- Longevity
- 62.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2012–2024
- Country
- 🏴 England
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 84.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1976–1984
- Country
- 🇸🇪 Sweden
- Peak
- 94.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 88.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 68.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1972–1976
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 86.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 66.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1994–2000
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 94.0
- Dominance
- 84.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 66.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2012–2021
- Country
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 82.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1978–1984
- Country
- 🇩🇪 East Germany
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 84.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 68.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1966–1972
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 84.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 70.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2010–2018
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 86.0
- Longevity
- 70.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2000–2012
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 82.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1971–1976
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 82.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 66.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2007–2016
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1985–1992
- Country
- 🇫🇷 France
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 72.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1990–2000
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 78.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1970–1980
- Country
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 76.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1970–1976
- Country
- 🇬🇧 Great Britain
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 84.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 68.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1968–1974
- Country
- 🇸🇪 Sweden
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 84.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 66.0
| # | Athlete | Sport | Country | Career | GOAT Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | Pernille Blume | Swimming | 🇩🇰 Denmark | 2010–2022 | 85.3 |
| 63 | Jason Lezak | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1998–2012 | 85.1 |
| 65 | Matt Biondi | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1984–1992 | 85.0 |
| 67 | Mike Barrowman | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1988–1992 | 85.0 |
| 69 | Brooke Bennett | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1994–2001 | 84.8 |
| 70 | Don Schollander | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1962–1968 | 84.8 |
| 72 | Debbie Meyer | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1967–1972 | 84.4 |
| 73 | Conny van Bentum | Swimming | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 1980–1992 | 84.4 |
| 74 | Pieter van den Hoogenband | Swimming | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 1995–2008 | 84.3 |
| 75 | Gary Hall Jr. | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1994–2004 | 84.3 |
| 76 | Michael Klim | Swimming | 🇦🇺 Australia | 1996–2007 | 84.3 |
| 77 | Melissa Belote | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1971–1976 | 84.2 |
| 79 | Anthony Ervin | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1999–2016 | 84.0 |
| 80 | Gertrude Ederle | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1921–1928 | 84.0 |
| 81 | George Bovell | Swimming | 🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago | 2000–2016 | 84.0 |
| 82 | Laure Manaudou | Swimming | 🇫🇷 France | 2003–2013 | 83.9 |
| 84 | Tom Jager | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1984–1992 | 83.9 |
| 86 | Yuri Bashkatov | Swimming | 🇧🇾 Belarus | 1986–1993 | 83.8 |
| 88 | Beatrice Câșlaru | Swimming | 🇷🇴 Romania | 1992–2004 | 83.7 |
| 89 | Lenny Krayzelburg | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1997–2004 | 83.6 |
| 91 | Ashley Callus | Swimming | 🇦🇺 Australia | 1998–2012 | 83.6 |
| 92 | Roland Schoeman | Swimming | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 2000–2021 | 83.5 |
| 93 | Dániel Gyurta | Swimming | 🇭🇺 Hungary | 2004–2016 | 83.5 |
| 94 | Amanda Beard | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1996–2008 | 83.5 |
| 95 | Veronika Andrusenko | Swimming | 🇷🇺 Russia | 2008–2021 | 83.5 |
| 96 | Federica Pellegrini | Swimming | 🇮🇹 Italy | 2003–2021 | 83.4 |
| 98 | Karin Brienesse | Swimming | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 1986–1996 | 83.3 |
| 100 | Yannick Agnel | Swimming | 🇫🇷 France | 2008–2016 | 83.1 |
| 101 | Tom Dolan | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1993–2002 | 83.1 |
| 102 | Rebecca Soni | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 2008–2012 | 83.1 |
| 107 | Vladimir Bure | Swimming | 🇷🇺 Russia | 1968–1976 | 82.9 |
| 109 | Emiliano Brembilla | Swimming | 🇮🇹 Italy | 1993–2009 | 82.8 |
| 112 | Mike Bruner | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1975–1980 | 82.6 |
| 113 | Hannelore Anke | Swimming | 🇩🇪 Germany | 1973–1977 | 82.6 |
| 114 | Molly Renshaw | Swimming | 🏴 England | 2012–2024 | 82.5 |
| 115 | Pär Arvidsson | Swimming | 🇸🇪 Sweden | 1976–1984 | 82.4 |
| 116 | John Hencken | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1972–1976 | 82.4 |
| 117 | Amy Van Dyken | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1994–2000 | 82.4 |
| 118 | Kosuke Hagino | Swimming | 🇯🇵 Japan | 2012–2021 | 82.3 |
| 119 | Petra Schneider | Swimming | 🇩🇪 East Germany | 1978–1984 | 82.3 |
| 124 | Mike Burton | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1966–1972 | 82.0 |
| 126 | Missy Franklin | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 2010–2018 | 81.8 |
| 127 | Brendan Hansen | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 2000–2012 | 81.8 |
| 128 | Robin Backhaus | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1971–1976 | 81.8 |
| 130 | Elizabeth Beisel | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 2007–2016 | 81.7 |
| 131 | Stéphan Caron | Swimming | 🇫🇷 France | 1985–1992 | 81.7 |
| 132 | Barbara Bedford | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1990–2000 | 81.7 |
| 133 | Enith Brigitha | Swimming | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 1970–1980 | 81.6 |
| 134 | David Wilkie | Swimming | 🇬🇧 Great Britain | 1970–1976 | 81.6 |
| 135 | Gunnar Larsson | Swimming | 🇸🇪 Sweden | 1968–1974 | 81.6 |
Compare the leaders
Michael Phelps vs Therese AlshammarRead the full methodology
Sport lists use the raw In-Sport GOAT Score. Cross-sport lists use the official competition-depth adjustment. No scores are recalculated for this page.
Read the full methodologyFrequently asked questions
How is this ranking calculated?
Five verified components are weighted consistently: dominance, peak, longevity, honours and statistics.
Who is included?
According to GOAT Rank's current data model, only verified athletes with sufficient career history, metrics, honours and independent sources are eligible. Rank and score are read live.
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