Larisa Latynina - Russian gymnast won 18 of 19 medals she competed for – the only blemish 4th in 1956 balance beam.

Usain Bolt - Four golds and an 86 per cent winning percentage. Jamaican is a cocksure yet likeable character.

Paavo Nurmi - Finnish runner was first man to win five golds at a Games. Famously ran with a stopwatch in hand.

Aladar Gerevich - Hungarian won six straight team sabre fencing golds. Could have been eight if not for World War II.

Steve Redgrave - Appeared in five straight Olympics and won five straight golds in rowing between 1984 and 2000.

Birgit Fischer - Amassed eight golds and 12 medals in total across six different events. Won medals aged 18 and 42.

Carl Lewis - Most decorated Olympian ever. 22 medals and 18 gold. Enough said. Hoping to add to his tally in Rio.

Michael Phelps - Lewis was unbeaten in the long jump for 10 years and set records from 100m to 4x100m. Won four golds.

Ray Ewry - Failed to lose in four Games in now defunct standing high jump. Twice won three golds in a day.