Larisa Latynina

The Soviet gymnast, Larisa Latynina, holds the distinction of having won the most medals of any female athlete in Olympic history. Between 1956 and 1964 she won medals in 18 gymnastics events, as follows: Gold (9) – 1956 all-around, 1956 floor exercises, 1956 horse vault, 1956 team, 1960 all-around, 1960 floor exercises, 1960 team, 1964 floor exercises, and 1964 team; Silver (5) – 1956 uneven parallel bars, 1960 balance beam, 1960 uneven parallel bars, 1964 all-around, and 1964 horse vault; and Bronze (4) – 1956 team portable apparatus, 1960 horse vault, 1964 balance beam, and 1964 uneven parallel bars. She failed to medal only in the 1956 balance beam, in which she finished tied for fourth. She also won six titles at the 1958 and 1962 World Championships in individual events. At the 1957 European Championships, Latynina won all five individual events – all-around and the four apparatus finals. In all, at the Olympic, World, and European Championships, Latynina won 25 gold, 15 silver, and six bronze for a total of 46 medals. This phenomenal record was achieved despite the fact that her career was interrupted when she gave birth to two children. After her retirement from competition she became national gymnastics team coach.