Most Olympic swimming gold medals: How Caeleb Dressel could pass Mark Spitz for second place behind Michael Phelps

For Caeleb Dressel, it's gold or bust in his swimming events. 

The butterfly and freestyle specialist from the United States is already one of the most decorated swimmers of all time. He entered the 2024 Olympics with seven gold medals to his name, added one already, and he is looking to expand that total even further. 

When it comes to Dressel's Olympic events, the result has been either a gold medal, or no placement on the podium. He has yet to win a silver or bronze, a remarkable feat in itself.

The fact that he has so many first-place finishes has resulted in a high placement on the all-time Olympic swimming medal table. He is currently tied for third place on the all-time list for the most gold medals out of a male swimmer.

Of course, sitting in first place is Michael Phelps, arguably the all-time greatest Olympian. His exceptional medal count likely will never be touched again, keeping his spot atop the leaderboard intact. 

However, Dressel can catch another American swimming legend — Mark Spitz. The former USA star is known for his historic showing at the 1972 Olympics where he won seven gold medals. It was a record that stood until Phelps broke it in 2008. 

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Dressel is closing in on Spitz's mark for gold medals. Here is how he can pass Spitz on the gold medal leaderboard among swimmers. 

Most Olympic swimming gold medals

Let's face it — it is highly unlikely that anyone is touching Phelps' record. It's hard enough to win double digit gold medals at the Olympics, let alone double that and then add a few more. 

While the 2024 Olympian is unlikely to break the all-time record, Dressel can move himself into second place. Dressel currently sits in a tie for third with eight Olympic gold medals, a spot he shares with Matt Biondi. He is only one behind Spitz for second place on the list. 

Dressel has two finals left on his Paris schedule: The men's 50-meter freestyle and the men's 100-meter butterfly. He already won gold in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay. 

With at least one first-place finish, he'll draw into a tie with Spitz for second place. If he wins both, he will take sole possession of the ranking behind Phelps, becoming only the second male swimmer ever to reach 10 gold medals in a career. 

Caeleb Dressel medal count

Dressel entered the 2024 Olympics with eight medals to his name, all of the golden variety. 

So far in Paris, he added one gold to his resume, which came in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay. He has two more individual events on his schedule. 

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He shockingly failed to qualify for the men's 100-meter freestyle, finishing third at the U.S. swim trials, so he was ineligible to race in the event at the Olympics.  

Here's how Dressel has performed at the Paris Olympics so far.