The Tokyo Olympics seem like a recent memory, marking the first time I watched the games on television. With 206 nations participating, 90 of these nations earned at least one medal.

While numerous records are shattered during each Olympic event, a select few have remained unbroken for an extended period. Here are six remarkable achievements in Olympic history.

#1. Michael Phelps’ 28 Olympic Medals

Athlete: Michael Phelps Country: USA ?? Sport: Swimming ????

Michael Phelps is recognized as the most accomplished Olympian in history, boasting the highest number of Olympic medals by any individual.

This retired athlete, who finished his career in 2016, secured a total of 28 medals, with an astounding 23 of them being gold. His Olympic journey began in 2000, and he claimed his first medal in 2004, dominating events such as the 100m and 200m butterfly and the 200m individual medley.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics marked his peak performance, where he earned gold in all eight swimming events he entered, a feat often regarded as insurmountable by future competitors.

#2. The USA’s 239 Medals in 1904

Country: USA ?? Year: 1904

The United States has consistently been the most successful nation in the Olympic Games, amassing roughly 2,600 medals, the highest total of any country.

The year 1904 stands out, as the USA achieved an unprecedented record of 239 medals during that Olympic festival held on home soil. This remarkable tally included 78 gold, 82 silver, and 79 bronze medals, a record that remains unmatched to this day.

#3. Ian Millar's 10 Olympic Appearances

Athlete: Ian Millar Country: Canada ?? Sport: Equestrian ?

Canadian equestrian Ian Millar is a testament to perseverance, having competed for an Olympic medal over a span of 40 years. He made history as the first athlete to compete in 10 different Olympic Games across all sports.

From 1972 to 2012, Millar showcased his talent in equestrian events, earning a bronze medal at the age of 61 in 2008, proving that age does not define capability. Although he was poised for success in the 2016 Olympics, an injury to his horse prevented him from competing. Millar retired in 2019 at the age of 72.

#4. The Oldest Olympic Medalist at 72

Athlete: Oscar Swahn Country: Sweden ?? Sport: Shooting ?

Oscar Swahn holds the record for the oldest Olympic medalist, having won his last medal at the age of 72.

This Swedish shooter competed in the 1908, 1912, and 1920 Olympics, securing six medals in total, including three golds. At the 1920 games, he was celebrated as the "Oldest Olympic Medalist," competing alongside his son, Alfred Swahn.

#5. China's Dominance in Table Tennis

Country: China ?? Sport: Table Tennis ?

Since its introduction to the Olympics in 1988, table tennis has seen China rise to unparalleled heights, winning 28 of the 32 gold medals awarded to date.

China's dominance in this sport is comparable to the USA’s success in basketball, Russia’s in weightlifting, and South Korea’s in archery. With a total of 60 medals in table tennis—32 gold, 20 silver, and 8 bronze—China remains unmatched in this discipline.

#6. The Youngest Olympic Champion

Athlete: Marjorie Gestring Country: USA ?? Sport: Diving ?

Marjorie Gestring made history as the youngest Olympic gold medalist, achieving this feat at just 13 years and 268 days during the 1936 Berlin Olympics in the 3m springboard diving event. This remains her only Olympic medal.

The closest contender to her record was Japan's Momiji Nishiya, who won gold in women’s street skateboarding at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics but was 63 days older than Gestring at the time.

#Conclusion

Science suggests that many current physical records may never be surpassed, attributed to human biological limits. It indicates that we may have reached our peak potential, leading to a future where Olympic records remain unchanged.

For instance, the fastest achievable 100m sprint time is projected to be around 9.44 seconds, only slightly faster than Usain Bolt's record. Additionally, the marathon record saw a significant drop of 40 minutes over 50 years, yet only 10 minutes in the subsequent 50 years. Since 2002, improvements have been limited to just 4 minutes.

Isn’t that somewhat disheartening?