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

208

Ricardo Busquets

78.7

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1994–2004
Country: 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico

Peak: 84.0
Dominance: 72.0
Statistics: 82.0
Honours: 78.0
Longevity: 80.0

Athlete: Ricardo Busquets

210

Brigitte Becue

78.6

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1988–1998
Country: 🇧🇪 Belgium

Peak: 86.0
Dominance: 72.0
Statistics: 84.0
Honours: 78.0
Longevity: 76.0

Athlete: Brigitte Becue

212

Sarah Gibson

78.5

Sport: Swimming
Career: 2013–2019
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 86.0
Dominance: 76.0
Statistics: 82.0
Honours: 80.0
Longevity: 70.0

Athlete: Sarah Gibson

213

John Devitt

78.4

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1955–1960
Country: 🇦🇺 Australia

Peak: 90.0
Dominance: 78.0
Statistics: 78.0
Honours: 82.0
Longevity: 64.0

Athlete: John Devitt

214

Bill Barrett

78.4

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1978–1984
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 86.0
Dominance: 74.0
Statistics: 82.0
Honours: 80.0
Longevity: 72.0

Athlete: Bill Barrett

215

Summer Sanders

78.3

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1988–1994
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 88.0
Dominance: 78.0
Statistics: 80.0
Honours: 80.0
Longevity: 66.0

Athlete: Summer Sanders

217

Serhiy Breus

78.3

Sport: Swimming
Career: 2006–2016
Country: 🇺🇦 Ukraine

Peak: 84.0
Dominance: 72.0
Statistics: 82.0
Honours: 76.0
Longevity: 80.0

Athlete: Serhiy Breus

218

Annika Bruhn

78.3

Sport: Swimming
Career: 2012–2021
Country: 🇩🇪 Germany

Peak: 84.0
Dominance: 72.0
Statistics: 82.0
Honours: 78.0
Longevity: 78.0

Athlete: Annika Bruhn

219

Bengt Baron

78.2

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1977–1984
Country: 🇸🇪 Sweden

Peak: 90.0
Dominance: 78.0
Statistics: 82.0
Honours: 80.0
Longevity: 62.0

Athlete: Bengt Baron

220

Stefano Battistelli

78.2

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1987–1996
Country: 🇮🇹 Italy

Peak: 86.0
Dominance: 72.0
Statistics: 84.0
Honours: 78.0
Longevity: 74.0

Athlete: Stefano Battistelli

221

Carmen Bunaciu

78.2

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1977–1986
Country: 🇷🇴 Romania

Peak: 86.0
Dominance: 72.0
Statistics: 84.0
Honours: 78.0
Longevity: 74.0

Athlete: Carmen Bunaciu

222

Katie Hoff

78.2

Sport: Swimming
Career: 2004–2012
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 86.0
Dominance: 76.0
Statistics: 80.0
Honours: 78.0
Longevity: 72.0

Athlete: Katie Hoff

223

Cullen Jones

78.1

Sport: Swimming
Career: 2006–2016
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 86.0
Dominance: 72.0
Statistics: 78.0
Honours: 80.0
Longevity: 76.0

Athlete: Cullen Jones

224

Caroline Burckle

78.1

Sport: Swimming
Career: 2005–2009
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 88.0
Dominance: 76.0
Statistics: 82.0
Honours: 80.0
Longevity: 66.0

Athlete: Caroline Burckle

225

Crissy Ahmann-Leighton

77.9

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1989–1993
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 90.0
Dominance: 74.0
Statistics: 84.0
Honours: 82.0
Longevity: 62.0

Athlete: Crissy Ahmann-Leighton

226

Marie-Thérèse Armentero

77.9

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1968–1976
Country: 🇨🇭 Switzerland

Peak: 84.0
Dominance: 74.0
Statistics: 84.0
Honours: 74.0
Longevity: 76.0

Athlete: Marie-Thérèse Armentero

227

Gustavo Borges

77.8

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1992–2004
Country: 🇧🇷 Brazil

Peak: 84.0
Dominance: 72.0
Statistics: 76.0
Honours: 74.0
Longevity: 84.0

Athlete: Gustavo Borges

229

Roswitha Beier

77.6

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1974–1978
Country: 🇩🇪 East Germany

Peak: 86.0
Dominance: 74.0
Statistics: 82.0
Honours: 82.0
Longevity: 66.0

Athlete: Roswitha Beier

230

Yuliya Bogdanova

77.5

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1978–1986
Country: 🇷🇺 Russia

Peak: 88.0
Dominance: 76.0
Statistics: 78.0
Honours: 80.0
Longevity: 66.0

Athlete: Yuliya Bogdanova

231

Gail Amundrud

77.5

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1974–1980
Country: 🇨🇦 Canada

Peak: 84.0
Dominance: 72.0
Statistics: 82.0
Honours: 80.0
Longevity: 72.0

Athlete: Gail Amundrud

232

Melanie Buddemeyer

77.2

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1976–1980
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 86.0
Dominance: 74.0
Statistics: 82.0
Honours: 80.0
Longevity: 66.0

Athlete: Melanie Buddemeyer

235

Chad Carvin

76.9

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1993–2001
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 88.0
Dominance: 70.0
Statistics: 84.0
Honours: 74.0
Longevity: 72.0

Athlete: Chad Carvin

238

Greg Burgess

76.5

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1988–1996
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 86.0
Dominance: 70.0
Statistics: 84.0
Honours: 76.0
Longevity: 70.0

Athlete: Greg Burgess

239

Randall Bal

76.4

Sport: Swimming
Career: 2000–2012
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 86.0
Dominance: 68.0
Statistics: 84.0
Honours: 72.0
Longevity: 76.0

Athlete: Randall Bal

240

Paolo Barelli

76.3

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1970–1980
Country: 🇮🇹 Italy

Peak: 82.0
Dominance: 70.0
Statistics: 80.0
Honours: 76.0
Longevity: 76.0

Athlete: Paolo Barelli

241

Leith Brodie

76.3

Sport: Swimming
Career: 2006–2014
Country: 🇦🇺 Australia

Peak: 82.0
Dominance: 70.0
Statistics: 80.0
Honours: 76.0
Longevity: 76.0

Athlete: Leith Brodie

242

Dirk Braunleder

76.3

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1990–1998
Country: 🇩🇪 Germany

Peak: 82.0
Dominance: 70.0
Statistics: 80.0
Honours: 76.0
Longevity: 76.0

Athlete: Dirk Braunleder

244

Zoë Baker

76.1

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1998–2004
Country: 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Peak: 88.0
Dominance: 70.0
Statistics: 84.0
Honours: 76.0
Longevity: 66.0

Athlete: Zoë Baker

245

Coralie Balmy

76.1

Sport: Swimming
Career: 2004–2016
Country: 🇫🇷 France

Peak: 82.0
Dominance: 70.0
Statistics: 76.0
Honours: 76.0
Longevity: 78.0

Athlete: Coralie Balmy

246

James Carter

76.0

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1995–2004
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 86.0
Dominance: 68.0
Statistics: 84.0
Honours: 72.0
Longevity: 74.0

Athlete: James Carter

248

Mike Brown

75.7

Sport: Swimming
Career: 2003–2012
Country: 🇨🇦 Canada

Peak: 84.0
Dominance: 68.0
Statistics: 82.0
Honours: 74.0
Longevity: 74.0

Athlete: Mike Brown

249

Alessio Boggiatto

75.6

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1999–2012
Country: 🇮🇹 Italy

Peak: 82.0
Dominance: 68.0
Statistics: 76.0
Honours: 74.0
Longevity: 80.0

Athlete: Alessio Boggiatto

250

Chris-Carol Bremer

75.5

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1986–1992
Country: 🇩🇪 Germany

Peak: 82.0
Dominance: 70.0
Statistics: 80.0
Honours: 76.0
Longevity: 72.0

Athlete: Chris-Carol Bremer

251

Karlee Bispo

75.5

Sport: Swimming
Career: 2008–2014
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 82.0
Dominance: 70.0
Statistics: 80.0
Honours: 76.0
Longevity: 72.0

Athlete: Karlee Bispo

252

Lara Carroll

75.5

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1996–2002
Country: 🇦🇺 Australia

Peak: 82.0
Dominance: 70.0
Statistics: 80.0
Honours: 76.0
Longevity: 72.0

Athlete: Lara Carroll

253

Gudrun Beckmann

75.5

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1978–1984
Country: 🇩🇪 West Germany

Peak: 82.0
Dominance: 70.0
Statistics: 80.0
Honours: 76.0
Longevity: 72.0

Athlete: Gudrun Beckmann

257

Zach Apple

74.1

Sport: Swimming
Career: 2016–2022
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 88.0
Dominance: 68.0
Statistics: 82.0
Honours: 74.0
Longevity: 62.0

Athlete: Zach Apple

258

Örn Arnarson

74.0

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1997–2008
Country: 🇮🇸 Iceland

Peak: 82.0
Dominance: 66.0
Statistics: 74.0
Honours: 72.0
Longevity: 78.0

Athlete: Örn Arnarson

259

Duncan Goodhew

73.9

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1976–1980
Country: 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Peak: 86.0
Dominance: 72.0
Statistics: 74.0
Honours: 76.0
Longevity: 62.0

Athlete: Duncan Goodhew

261

Hilary Caldwell

72.9

Sport: Swimming
Career: 2009–2017
Country: 🇨🇦 Canada

Peak: 82.0
Dominance: 68.0
Statistics: 74.0
Honours: 74.0
Longevity: 68.0

Athlete: Hilary Caldwell

262

Chris Cavanaugh

72.6

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1980–1986
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 84.0
Dominance: 68.0
Statistics: 72.0
Honours: 76.0
Longevity: 64.0

Athlete: Chris Cavanaugh

264

Jack Babashoff

71.4

Sport: Swimming
Career: 1973–1978
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 84.0
Dominance: 68.0
Statistics: 72.0
Honours: 72.0
Longevity: 62.0

Athlete: Jack Babashoff

265

Matthew Abood

70.9

Sport: Swimming
Career: 2007–2016
Country: 🇦🇺 Australia

Peak: 78.0
Dominance: 64.0
Statistics: 78.0
Honours: 68.0
Longevity: 70.0

Athlete: Matthew Abood

267

Kasey Carlson

70.3

Sport: Swimming
Career: 2007–2013
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 80.0
Dominance: 62.0
Statistics: 80.0
Honours: 70.0
Longevity: 64.0

Athlete: Kasey Carlson

#	Athlete	Sport	Country	Career	GOAT Score
208	Ricardo Busquets	Swimming	🇵🇷 Puerto Rico	1994–2004	78.7
210	Brigitte Becue	Swimming	🇧🇪 Belgium	1988–1998	78.6
212	Sarah Gibson	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	2013–2019	78.5
213	John Devitt	Swimming	🇦🇺 Australia	1955–1960	78.4
214	Bill Barrett	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	1978–1984	78.4
215	Summer Sanders	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	1988–1994	78.3
217	Serhiy Breus	Swimming	🇺🇦 Ukraine	2006–2016	78.3
218	Annika Bruhn	Swimming	🇩🇪 Germany	2012–2021	78.3
219	Bengt Baron	Swimming	🇸🇪 Sweden	1977–1984	78.2
220	Stefano Battistelli	Swimming	🇮🇹 Italy	1987–1996	78.2
221	Carmen Bunaciu	Swimming	🇷🇴 Romania	1977–1986	78.2
222	Katie Hoff	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	2004–2012	78.2
223	Cullen Jones	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	2006–2016	78.1
224	Caroline Burckle	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	2005–2009	78.1
225	Crissy Ahmann-Leighton	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	1989–1993	77.9
226	Marie-Thérèse Armentero	Swimming	🇨🇭 Switzerland	1968–1976	77.9
227	Gustavo Borges	Swimming	🇧🇷 Brazil	1992–2004	77.8
229	Roswitha Beier	Swimming	🇩🇪 East Germany	1974–1978	77.6
230	Yuliya Bogdanova	Swimming	🇷🇺 Russia	1978–1986	77.5
231	Gail Amundrud	Swimming	🇨🇦 Canada	1974–1980	77.5
232	Melanie Buddemeyer	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	1976–1980	77.2
235	Chad Carvin	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	1993–2001	76.9
238	Greg Burgess	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	1988–1996	76.5
239	Randall Bal	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	2000–2012	76.4
240	Paolo Barelli	Swimming	🇮🇹 Italy	1970–1980	76.3
241	Leith Brodie	Swimming	🇦🇺 Australia	2006–2014	76.3
242	Dirk Braunleder	Swimming	🇩🇪 Germany	1990–1998	76.3
244	Zoë Baker	Swimming	🇬🇧 United Kingdom	1998–2004	76.1
245	Coralie Balmy	Swimming	🇫🇷 France	2004–2016	76.1
246	James Carter	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	1995–2004	76.0
248	Mike Brown	Swimming	🇨🇦 Canada	2003–2012	75.7
249	Alessio Boggiatto	Swimming	🇮🇹 Italy	1999–2012	75.6
250	Chris-Carol Bremer	Swimming	🇩🇪 Germany	1986–1992	75.5
251	Karlee Bispo	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	2008–2014	75.5
252	Lara Carroll	Swimming	🇦🇺 Australia	1996–2002	75.5
253	Gudrun Beckmann	Swimming	🇩🇪 West Germany	1978–1984	75.5
257	Zach Apple	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	2016–2022	74.1
258	Örn Arnarson	Swimming	🇮🇸 Iceland	1997–2008	74.0
259	Duncan Goodhew	Swimming	🇬🇧 United Kingdom	1976–1980	73.9
261	Hilary Caldwell	Swimming	🇨🇦 Canada	2009–2017	72.9
262	Chris Cavanaugh	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	1980–1986	72.6
264	Jack Babashoff	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	1973–1978	71.4
265	Matthew Abood	Swimming	🇦🇺 Australia	2007–2016	70.9
267	Kasey Carlson	Swimming	🇺🇸 United States	2007–2013	70.3

Compare the leaders

Michael Phelps vs Therese Alshammar

Read 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 methodology

Frequently 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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