London 2012 chairman Lord Coe has rejected the notion that United States swimmer Michael Phelps is the greatest Olympian of all time.
The Baltimore Bullet broke the record for most overall medals won at the Olympics this week when the helped his country to gold in the men's 4x200 relay final.
However, Coe believes that greatness is measured by more than just an athlete's medal haul.
He told The Telegraph that while Phelps is the "most successful", his personal view is that "he is not the greatest".
When pressed on who he believes in the greatest, Coe nominated five-time gold medal rower Sir Steve Redgrave, British decathlete Daley Thompson and US track and field athlete Jesse Owens as contenders.
Phelps - who also won silver in the men's 200m butterfly - has 15 gold medals, two silver and two bronze to his name.
Written by
Mark Langshaw
Mark Langshaw
