Michael Phelps - Swimming, Age 36
Michael Phelps not only dominated the sport, but he elevated Swimming to new heights during a career spanning 15 years. Since the beginning, breaking world records and creating his own has been the guy's signature. He was 15 when he broke a previous record to become the youngest to qualify for the 2000 Olympics as part of the US Swim team.
Five years since his retirement, Michael’s absence in competitions the world over is sorely felt to this day. The most decorated Olympian with 28 medals, is now heavily into philanthropy and also coaches the Arizona State Sun Devils team. His Michael Phelps Foundation promotes swimming and adopting healthier lifestyles.
Lindsey Vonn - Alpine Ski Racing, Age 36
Former Olympic Skiing Champion Lindsey Vonn's entire life revolved around the piste ever since she was only two. So, it's understandable how devastated she was when forced to retire in 2019 due to injury! We admire how the star skier bounced back in no time to find new avenues for her passion like modelling, acting, and designing a ski collection.
Vonn's self-penned, yet to be published memoir, Rise: My Story details her career on the slopes, which began when she was merely seven. The fierce competitor overcame several injuries to become the most decorated Olympic skier in the sport's history with three individual and seven group medals.
Mo Farah - Long Distance Running, Age 38
Mo Farah was unbeatable at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games in both the 5000m and 10000m categories of long-distance running, grabbing four gold medals. He has an unbroken streak of ten global wins and has achieved a feat named 'quadruple double' by defending two distance titles in successive international competitions.
Shocked and devastated at not qualifying for the Tokyo Summer Olympics 2021, Farah has vowed to continue striving to reach a new peak before retiring. We hope the passionate runner whose unique running style has been described as bouncy gets to achieve his dream and does the 'mobot' again in celebration!
Caitlyn Jenner - Decathlon, Age 71
In 2015, the former Olympian William Bruce Jenner transitioned into the gorgeous Caitlyn Jenner, an esteemed activist and media personality with a thriving career in films and television. She is also a successful author with her latest memoir The Secrets of My Life giving an intimate look into her journey of becoming a woman.
Caitlyn, aka Bruce, has the distinction of winning twelve of the thirteen decathlons she competed in, accomplishing personal bests in all five of the events on her first day at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. In addition, she was the one to start the tradition among winners to take a victory lap waving the country’s flag!
Carl Lewis - Athletics, Age 60
His impressive track record of ten Olympic medals, among other achievements including ten World Championships, makes Carl Lewis one of the most accomplished sprinters of all time! He aced at long jump too during his career spanning seventeen years, ending in 1996.
Ever since he called it quits, Lewis has featured in some cameo roles in television and films such as The Weakest Link and Perfect Strangers. At 60, he is happy being a coach at the University of Houston teaching young student-athletes the merits of hard work, dedication, and good nutrition, besides sharing his wisdom gained from personal experience as an athlete.
George Foreman - Boxing, Age 72
At 72, the boxing legend George Foreman is busy taking a swing at the pandemic with all his might to spread awareness about vaccinations. Over the years, he's been the face of many brands in advertisements! He's probably also looking to buy a new vehicle to add to his astonishing collection of over 50 cars.
Besides knocking the living daylights out of his opponents and winning numerous accolades, including a gold in the 1968 Summer Olympics, Foreman became a successful entrepreneur. The smart move by the two-time heavyweight World Champion to loan his name to a fat-reducing grill earned him more than his career in boxing did!
Ian Thorpe - Swimming, Age 38
Ian Thorpe's name is synonymous with swimming. He revolutionized the sport with his agility, speed, and precision, especially in 400m freestyle. His complete sweep at the 2004 Olympics, winning medals in every event 100m, 200m, and 400m, made him the only athlete to do so. No wonder his nickname is 'Thorpedo'!
The former Australian swimmer, since retirement, has founded the Ian Thorpe's Foundation for Youth, aiming to find aid for children with disabilities. Besides philanthropy, Ian is heavily into fashion and acts as an ambassador for the famous brand Armani. In May 2021, he announced that he joined Seven Network as a commentator for the Tokyo Olympics!
Ryan Lochte - Swimming, Age 37
In an unfortunate turn of events, Ryan Lochte did not qualify for the Tokyo Olympics despite entering the final round! This setback has only made the swimmer resolve to stay committed to the sport and has no intention of quitting competitive swimming anytime soon. In the interim, he has appeared in films and television shows such as Dancing with the Stars.
His initial claim to fame was as a twelve-time Olympic medal winner, making Ryan the second most decorated in terms of total wins in the sport's history! Specializing in backstroke, Lochte’s signature move is to kick underwater to gain momentum, which has served him well over the years!
Greg Louganis - Diver, Age 61
Gregory Louganis rocked the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics by clinching several gold medals in two categories; the springboard and the platform. To date, he is the only man in Olympic history to annihilate the competition in consecutive tournaments.
Greg's achievements prompted Speedo to strike and the endorsement deal with the swimwear giant came to a close in 2007. The diver also shared his skills with various dive teams and also mentored the diving team at the London 2012 Olympics. Surprisingly, after his retirement, Greg took up dog agility competitions. This might sound like an odd idea, but the fellow had been a fan for a while.
Tonya Harding - Figure Skating, Age 50
Tonya Harding was born to be an athlete, and her track record says it all. Courtesy of her mother, Tonya was getting ice skating lessons from the age of four. This saw her winning the Skate America competition in 1989 and won the 1991 World silver as well.
Due to some professional issues, Harding's figure skating career came to a standstill in 1994, and she won't be competing ever again. This forced her to shift gears, and in the early 2000s, the lady competed as a professional boxer. Currently, Harding's life has slowed down a little as she practices figure skating with her former coach, Dody Teachman.
Dan Gable - Wrestler, Age 72
Dan Gable is credited as a two-time NCAA Division 1 national champion, making him a noteworthy wrestler. In his prime, the 72-year-old man managed to win a world gold medal and an Olympic gold medal.
Dan's rise to prominence is credited to a tragic backstory in his childhood that prompted him to push harder and become a better wrestler. The results speak for themselves as he is one of only three wrestlers to get inducted into the Legend category of the United World Wrestling's Hall of Fame. In 2020 Dan was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Trump, further cementing his victories.
Natalie Coughlin - Swimming, Age 38
At 38 years old, Natalie Coughlin happens to be one of the youngest people on this list but don't let that fool you. She is a highly decorated swimmer who managed to gain 12 Olympic gold medals. Coughlin also became the first woman to finish the 100m backstroke course in under a minute at the University of California.
Natalie's swimming career has seen her collect sixty medals, of which 25 are gold. Sadly, retirement is inevitable, and when her time came, Coughlin picked up the next best thing; cooking. This is why you're bound to spot her in one of your favorite cooking shows.
Usain Bolt - Athletics, Age 35
Aptly nicknamed ‘Lightning Bolt’, Usain Bolt was the fastest sprinter in the world until recently. He has nineteen Guinness World Records under his belt to prove it. Even though he debuted in 2001, the runner won his first gold medal the next year at 15, making him the youngest junior to do so.
Since then, Bolt went on to become the most successful world champion ever, winning eleven titles! An Olympic gold medal winner eight times over, he retired in 2017 having reigned his sport for over a decade. After dabbling in professional soccer, he is now a musician wanting to showcase Jamaica’s dancehall on the international podium.
Dara Torres - Swimming, Age 54
Having collected twelve Olympic gold medals, Dara Torres is undoubtedly one of the most competitive female swimmers in the sport's history. She is one of three women who managed to claim an equal number of medals in each tier, from gold to bronze, and we can't help but wonder if that was her plan all along.
Despite taking a brief hiatus from active competition, Torres made a comeback in the 2000 Olympics, where she collected five medals! After a 24-year career, she has earned a few jobs working as an announcer for various news networks and is currently the Chief Wellness and Lifestyle Officer for CaniBrands.
Alexei Nemov - Gymnastics, Age 45
Alexei Nemov is a Russian gymnast who rose to prominence after winning many medals and titles. For starters, the man took home twelve Olympic medals making him one of the elite members of the competition's participants. Plus, he has five world championships and three European championships under his belt as well.
Alexei made his debut at just 16 years old at the World Championship in 1993. After that, he competed for several years until a string of injuries forced him into retirement in 2004. Since then, the man has chosen a quiet lifestyle with his family in his hometown of Tolyatti.
Mark Spitz - Swimming, Age 71
At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, little did people know that Mark Spitz would make history. The swimmer became the most successful athlete in the competition after sweeping the games and collecting seven gold medals. This impressive feat remained unchallenged till several decades later, when Michael Phelps would come in and take eight awards.
Surprisingly, Mark hung up his Speedos after the Munich games despite being only 22 years old. Instead, the swimmer tried making a comeback in 1992 after being offered a million dollars if he qualified. Nowadays, Mark lives in California with his wife, Suzy Weiner.
Jackie Chamoun - Skiing, Age 29
Jackie Chamoun has represented her nation at the Winter Olympics in 2010 and 2014. Due to some controversies during the latter competition, Jackie chose to maintain a low profile and barely makes any appearances anymore. She treated the fans to an exciting announcement in 2017 when she let them know she was expecting a daughter with her husband, Christian Karembeu.
Unsurprisingly, Jackie started skiing from an early age; some might argue she was skiing before she even started walking. At 14, Jackie was already rubbing shoulders with the best of the best in various professional bouts globally.
Allison Stokke - Pole Vaulting, Age 32
Allison Stokke started breaking records in high school pole vaulting, and she is probably among the first generation of kids to go viral for track and field events. Due to her persistence and excellent work ethic, the lady managed to grab the elusive All American Honors.
Surprisingly, her academics were just as good, and Allison went on to get the all-academic honors at the regional level. After her impressive college career, Allison managed to gain some traction and was contracted by Nike and Athleta to model their sportswear, adding modeling to her résumé. In 2019 Stokke tied the knot to longtime boyfriend Rickie Fowler.
Marion Jones - Track and Field, Age 45
Marion Jones' knack for athleticism made her a world-famous track and field athlete and a basketball player. She brought immense glory to her nation when she stole the show in the 2000 Summer Olympics, in which the sportswoman nabbed a total of three gold medals and two bronze medals.
However, the star was later stripped of them due to some issues with the authorities. Still, Marion is a proud winner of three world championship titles, which is a testament to her greatness! Now, the stunner works as a personal trainer while running her own business in Austin, Texas.
Allyson Felix - Track and Field, Age 35
Allyson Felix has now finally launched her own shoe company, Saysh, after making a name for herself in track and field. You may remember this star from the 2012 Olympics, where she was crowned champion of the 200 meters event. Still, the athlete has many more achievements to boast of.
Allyson is also a three-time world champion, having dominated the realm of sprinting from 2005 to 2009. Additionally, the player has also bagged five Olympic golds as a part of the United States' women's relay teams. It will certainly be a long time before someone sweeps in and breaks the records of this legend.
Billie Jean King - Tennis, Age 77
Billie Jean King is an inspiration to millions across the world, thanks to the impenetrable sporting legacy the star has built over the decades. She is presently working as a coach, polishing the skills of future champions, but back in the day, this woman was a world champion herself.
With a total of thirty-nine Grand Slam titles, twelve singles, and sixteen doubles to her name, Billie becomes one of the most celebrated tennis players in the world. Mind you, she might be in her late seventies, but in the court, the former pro could still easily give anyone a run for their money.
McKayla Maroney - Artistic Gymnastics, Age 25
McKayla Maroney was the golden girl of the 2012 Summer Olympics, being a member of the famous "Fierce Five." Her flair in artistic gymnastics is still passionately discussed. Sadly, she took early retirement shortly after winning an Olympic gold medal and a silver in the Vault event.
Now, the star has been keeping herself busy in other ways. After hanging up the boots on sports, McKayla discovered her passion for music, following which the former sportswoman released a single. She released another song soon after, titled Lockdowns. The musician has also been active on television, having appeared in a handful of productions.
Michael Jordan - Basketball, Age 58
You simply cannot think of Basketball without thinking of Michael Jordan. The glorious playing career of the star has made him synonymous with the sport. He cemented his name in history by bagging six championships with the NBA team, Chicago Bulls, after playing for the team for fifteen long seasons.
Michael's influence was so massive that he helped in popularizing National Basketball Association internationally in the ‘80s and the ‘90s, all the while becoming a global icon himself. Now that he has retired from playing professionally, the athlete is working as the owner and chairman of Charlotte Hornets.
Nastia Liukin - Artistic Gymnastics, Age 31
Nastia Liukin's nightstand shines with all sorts of medals. After being the 2008 Olympic All-Around champion, the star became quite a decorated artistic gymnast. With five Olympic medals and four World Championship titles to her name, Nastia has achieved what only a few gifted and hard-working ones can dream of achieving.
She was a pivotal member of the American senior team in the global competitions, earning her both fame and fortune. Now, the player has ventured into other fields, including entrepreneurship and writing, thriving immensely in both. Although, she keeps herself connected to sports in different ways too.
Ronda Rousey - Wrestling, Age 34
Ronda Rousey did not earn the nickname "Rowdy" for nothing. Her performances in UFC and WWE would vouch for that. The star is a proud winner of a Bronze medal in judo, which she bagged in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
After this, the judoka launched a career in Mixed Martial Arts. It was when she signed a contract with WWE that she began wrestling professionally and has been sensational in the field. Yet, Ronda didn't stop at that. She has also ventured into acting, having now appeared in a handful of films.
Missy Franklin - Swimming, Age 26
Missy Franklin is being widely lauded for the philanthropic work she has been doing since her retirement from pro swimming. As an ambassador to the USA Swimming Foundation, she is working on a nationwide initiative to prevent drowning incidents by augmenting access to swimming-learning programs.
As a former injured swimmer herself, who has won five gold medals in the Olympics, and eleven in the World Championships, her sensitivity towards the cause is understandable. Still, she takes dips in the pool at times of leisure and glides as much as an injured body is allowed to.
Steffi Graf - Tennis, Age 52
With twenty-two Grand Slam singles under her belt, Steffi Graf became one of the most celebrated female Tennis players in the world. She is best known for her record of ranking world No. 1 for 377 straight weeks, which to date remains unbreached.
The athlete's footwork and forehand drive while playing is still discussed among Tennis enthusiasts and aspirants. Such was the influence of this icon when she was at her peak. Now, Steffi usually works on endorsement campaigns. In 2015, she became the ambassador to Kerala Tourism and promoted the Ancient medicine system Ayurveda.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee - Track and Field, Age 59
Jackie Joyner-Kersee is now enjoying her retirement in East St. Louis, Illinois, where she was born. She hung up the boots on track and field after a glorious run in the sport that granted her three golds, one silver, and two bronzes in the Olympics -a feat not many can flaunt.
With so many achievements under her belt, it's hardly surprising that she was voted to be the Greatest Female Athlete of All-Time by the revered Sports Illustrated for Women. Jackie also used her influence and voice to advocate for racial equality and women's rights. She is truly a beautiful human inside out!
Mary Lou Retton – Gymnast, Age 53
Mary Lou Retton made history in the 1984 Olympic Games when she became the first American woman to win an individual all-around gold medal in gymnastics. The retired athlete made a name for herself in the sport, raking in several accolades, and with that success, money flowed too.
After her retirement, Mary didn't stop her involvement in the game that made her famous; she took part in pushing a bill to ensure equal treatment of gymnasts. The sportswoman also ventured into showbiz, starring in several productions, including Glee and Mary Lou's Flip Flop Shop.
Michelle Kwan – Figure Skater, Age 40
Michelle Kwan is a famous figure skater, who at the peak of her career, took home two Olympic gold medals, as well as several world championships. The athlete is widely considered among the greatest skaters of all time, and with the records she has, it's easy to see why.
Since stepping away from active competitions, Kwan swapped one podium to another, indulging in the political sphere. The former skater has worked on several campaigns for Hillary Clinton and President Joe Biden. Apart from that, Michelle also mentors young folk who want to join the game, as while working as a commentator on Fox Sports.
Magic Johnson – Basketball Player, Age 61
Widely considered the greatest point guard ever to play the game, Magic Johnson is undoubtedly a basketball legend. The player spent thirteen seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers winning five championships and an Olympic gold medal for the US in 1992.
After a majorly successful stint with the NBA, Johnson hung his boots and decided to venture into business. The star established a massive empire that deals with sports franchises, media, and technology companies, all of which keep him busy. Despite his hectic schedule. Magic still finds time to participate in several campaigns, including HIV activism.
Michael Johnson - Athletics, Age 54
Billed the world’s fastest due to his record-breaking 200m sprint in 19.32 secs at the 1996 Olympics, Michael Johnson ranks among the top few to rule the event and 400m with four gold medals. He won his first title in the 1991 World Championships held in Tokyo and went on to win seven more during his illustrious career!
After retiring from competitive sports, Johnson has become a BBC commentator, often writing columns for newspapers such as The Times. In 2007, he founded the Michael Johnson Performance, a training facility for young aspiring athletes, and turned coach to a football team in 2018. Evidently, he loves staying connected to sports!
Larisa Latynina - Gymnastics, Age 86
If there's someone who has earned her retirement from athletics, Larisa has to be it. Her contributions to the gymnastic prestige of the Soviet Union remains unchallenged. So far, she is credited with having won 18 Olympic gold medals, a record she has held for 48 years. Of the total, 14 were individual medals which was another record she held for over half a decade.
Since her heydays, Larisa was always actively trying to pass on her skills to the younger generation. When she retired, she even became a coach for the Soviet's national team. At 86 years, Larisa proudly enjoys her sunset years in an estate near Semenovskoye.