- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1970–1978
- Country
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 76.0
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
- 2013–2021
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2003–2012
- Country
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2010–2021
- Country
- 🇨🇳 China
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2008–2020
- Country
- 🇨🇳 China
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 82.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 70.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2006–2016
- Country
- 🇧🇷 Brazil
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 82.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 70.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2006–2016
- Country
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 74.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 80.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2007–2014
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 76.0
- Statistics
- 88.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1996–2004
- Country
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 76.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 76.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2002–2009
- Country
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 76.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1996–2004
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 76.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2001–2012
- Country
- 🇮🇹 Italy
- Peak
- 86.0
- Dominance
- 76.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 80.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2000–2016
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 86.0
- Dominance
- 76.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 80.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1971–1973
- Country
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Peak
- 96.0
- Dominance
- 90.0
- Statistics
- 88.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 46.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2000–2016
- Country
- 🇫🇷 France
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 76.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 78.0
- Longevity
- 80.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1968–1974
- Country
- 🇮🇹 Italy
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 66.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1974–1980
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 70.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1985–1992
- Country
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2014–2024
- Country
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 80.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 76.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2009–2022
- Country
- 🇭🇺 Hungary
- Peak
- 86.0
- Dominance
- 74.0
- Statistics
- 80.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 82.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1979–1984
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 82.0
- Statistics
- 88.0
- Honours
- 78.0
- Longevity
- 64.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2009–2022
- Country
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Peak
- 86.0
- Dominance
- 74.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 78.0
- Longevity
- 84.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1986–1992
- Country
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 72.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2006–2018
- Country
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 74.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 78.0
- Longevity
- 78.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2006–2013
- Country
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 66.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1978–1984
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 68.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2006–2016
- Country
- 🇩🇰 Denmark
- Peak
- 86.0
- Dominance
- 74.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 80.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1994–2004
- Country
- 🇫🇷 France
- Peak
- 86.0
- Dominance
- 74.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 80.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2005–2017
- Country
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 74.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 76.0
- Longevity
- 78.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1984–1992
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1992–2008
- Country
- 🇸🇪 Sweden
- Peak
- 86.0
- Dominance
- 74.0
- Statistics
- 78.0
- Honours
- 76.0
- Longevity
- 88.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2008–2016
- Country
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 76.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 84.0
- Longevity
- 72.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2011–2018
- Country
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 76.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1976–1984
- Country
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Peak
- 86.0
- Dominance
- 76.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 76.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2013–2021
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 76.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 68.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2003–2012
- Country
- 🇳🇴 Norway
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 80.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 70.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2003–2016
- Country
- 🇷🇸 Serbia
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 74.0
- Statistics
- 86.0
- Honours
- 74.0
- Longevity
- 76.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1992–2000
- Country
- 🇷🇺 Russia
- Peak
- 90.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 70.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1986–1993
- Country
- 🇸🇷 Suriname
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 82.0
- Statistics
- 80.0
- Honours
- 78.0
- Longevity
- 66.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2010–2016
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 70.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2010–2021
- Country
- 🇭🇺 Hungary
- Peak
- 86.0
- Dominance
- 74.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 78.0
- Longevity
- 80.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1972–1980
- Country
- 🇧🇷 Brazil
- Peak
- 86.0
- Dominance
- 74.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 78.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1982–1992
- Country
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 76.0
- Statistics
- 78.0
- Honours
- 78.0
- Longevity
- 78.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1954–1960
- Country
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 80.0
- Statistics
- 80.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 62.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1974–1980
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 86.0
- Dominance
- 76.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 72.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2009–2023
- Country
- 🇧🇷 Brazil
- Peak
- 84.0
- Dominance
- 76.0
- Statistics
- 80.0
- Honours
- 74.0
- Longevity
- 82.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2008–2021
- Country
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- Peak
- 84.0
- Dominance
- 74.0
- Statistics
- 78.0
- Honours
- 76.0
- Longevity
- 84.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2009–2014
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Peak
- 88.0
- Dominance
- 76.0
- Statistics
- 82.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 68.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 2000–2008
- Country
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Peak
- 85.0
- Dominance
- 74.0
- Statistics
- 84.0
- Honours
- 80.0
- Longevity
- 74.0
- Sport
- Swimming
- Career
- 1969–1976
- Country
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- Peak
- 92.0
- Dominance
- 78.0
- Statistics
- 80.0
- Honours
- 82.0
- Longevity
- 62.0
| # | Athlete | Sport | Country | Career | GOAT Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 136 | Brian Brinkley | Swimming | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 1970–1978 | 81.6 |
| 137 | Michael Chadwick | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 2013–2021 | 81.6 |
| 138 | Libby Trickett | Swimming | 🇦🇺 Australia | 2003–2012 | 81.5 |
| 139 | Ye Shiwen | Swimming | 🇨🇳 China | 2010–2021 | 81.5 |
| 141 | Sun Yang | Swimming | 🇨🇳 China | 2008–2020 | 81.4 |
| 142 | César Cielo | Swimming | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 2006–2016 | 81.4 |
| 143 | Bronte Barratt | Swimming | 🇦🇺 Australia | 2006–2016 | 81.4 |
| 144 | Ricky Berens | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 2007–2014 | 81.4 |
| 149 | Dyana Calub | Swimming | 🇦🇺 Australia | 1996–2004 | 81.2 |
| 150 | Kirsty Balfour | Swimming | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 2002–2009 | 81.2 |
| 151 | Lindsay Benko | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1996–2004 | 81.1 |
| 153 | Alessandro Calvi | Swimming | 🇮🇹 Italy | 2001–2012 | 81.1 |
| 155 | Dana Vollmer | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 2000–2016 | 80.9 |
| 156 | Shane Gould | Swimming | 🇦🇺 Australia | 1971–1973 | 80.9 |
| 158 | Frédérick Bousquet | Swimming | 🇫🇷 France | 2000–2016 | 80.9 |
| 159 | Novella Calligaris | Swimming | 🇮🇹 Italy | 1968–1974 | 80.9 |
| 160 | Joe Bottom | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1974–1980 | 80.9 |
| 161 | Jens-Peter Berndt | Swimming | 🇩🇪 Germany | 1985–1992 | 80.8 |
| 162 | Yui Ohashi | Swimming | 🇯🇵 Japan | 2014–2024 | 80.7 |
| 163 | Boglárka Kapás | Swimming | 🇭🇺 Hungary | 2009–2022 | 80.5 |
| 164 | Craig Beardsley | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1979–1984 | 80.5 |
| 165 | Holly Barratt | Swimming | 🇦🇺 Australia | 2009–2022 | 80.4 |
| 166 | Frank Baltrusch | Swimming | 🇩🇪 Germany | 1986–1992 | 80.4 |
| 167 | Jazmin Carlin | Swimming | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 2006–2018 | 80.3 |
| 168 | Stephanie Rice | Swimming | 🇦🇺 Australia | 2006–2013 | 80.3 |
| 169 | Rowdy Gaines | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1978–1984 | 80.3 |
| 170 | Jakob Andkjær | Swimming | 🇩🇰 Denmark | 2006–2016 | 80.3 |
| 171 | Romain Barnier | Swimming | 🇫🇷 France | 1994–2004 | 80.3 |
| 172 | Lauren Boyle | Swimming | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 2005–2017 | 80.2 |
| 173 | Pablo Morales | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1984–1992 | 80.2 |
| 174 | Lars Frölander | Swimming | 🇸🇪 Sweden | 1992–2008 | 80.2 |
| 175 | Alicia Coutts | Swimming | 🇦🇺 Australia | 2008–2016 | 80.1 |
| 176 | Jessica Ashwood | Swimming | 🇦🇺 Australia | 2011–2018 | 80.0 |
| 177 | Gary Abraham | Swimming | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 1976–1984 | 80.0 |
| 178 | Kathleen Baker | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 2013–2021 | 79.9 |
| 181 | Alexander Dale Oen | Swimming | 🇳🇴 Norway | 2003–2012 | 79.9 |
| 183 | Milorad Čavić | Swimming | 🇷🇸 Serbia | 2003–2016 | 79.8 |
| 184 | Denis Pankratov | Swimming | 🇷🇺 Russia | 1992–2000 | 79.8 |
| 185 | Anthony Nesty | Swimming | 🇸🇷 Suriname | 1986–1993 | 79.7 |
| 186 | Cammile Adams | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 2010–2016 | 79.7 |
| 187 | Richárd Bohus | Swimming | 🇭🇺 Hungary | 2010–2021 | 79.6 |
| 188 | Rômulo Arantes | Swimming | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 1972–1980 | 79.6 |
| 192 | Adrian Moorhouse | Swimming | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 1982–1992 | 79.5 |
| 195 | Jon Henricks | Swimming | 🇦🇺 Australia | 1954–1960 | 79.2 |
| 196 | Deborah Babashoff | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 1974–1980 | 79.2 |
| 200 | Bruno Fratus | Swimming | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 2009–2023 | 79.0 |
| 201 | Ryosuke Irie | Swimming | 🇯🇵 Japan | 2008–2021 | 79.0 |
| 203 | Alyssa Anderson | Swimming | 🇺🇸 United States | 2009–2014 | 78.9 |
| 204 | Angie Bainbridge | Swimming | 🇦🇺 Australia | 2000–2008 | 78.9 |
| 207 | Mayumi Aoki | Swimming | 🇯🇵 Japan | 1969–1976 | 78.7 |
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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