Michael Phelps - Best Olympic Athlete Ever?

Michael Phelps' accomplishments this Olympics have been nothing short of amazing, but we struggle to agree that he should be designated with the title of "Greatest Olympic Athlete Ever." The sport of swimming is quite demanding, but there exist far more opportunities to earn swimming medals than in most other sports. In shooting, there are 9 events in which a competitor can earn a medal. So if a prodigy shooter were to compete, sweep every event and earn 9 gold medals, would he be given the title of "Greatest Olympic Athlete Ever?" We imagine that in a pick-up basketball game one would choose the sprinter who won 1 gold medal over the shooter that won 9. Previously, Mark Spitz held the same title, and it is no surprise he was also a swimmer. It is likely that the media's exaggerated title for Phelps is primarily an attempt to push the forthcoming onslaught of merchandise, but it should be questioned nonetheless. We would like to note that watching Phelps swim was exciting and inspirational. We have no doubt he should be deemed as the most decorated athlete ever, possibly the greatest swimmer ever, but the claim of Greatest Olympic Athlete Ever seems fairly exorbitant.