A By the Numbers Look at Upcoming International Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Class
The International Swimming Hall of Fame is set to induct an exceptional group of athletes next month in Fort Lauderdale. This year’s induction class is one of the finest and includes five swimmers who have made their mark in the sport’s history. The headliner of this class is none other than Michael Phelps, widely regarded as the greatest athlete the sport has produced. Joining Phelps for induction are Kosuke Kitajima from Japan, Missy Franklin from the United States, Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe, and Cesar Cielo from Brazil. All of these swimmers are Olympic champions and have earned multiple Olympic medals throughout their illustrious careers.
Let’s take a closer look at the statistics and accomplishments of these swimmers set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Together, they have amassed an impressive 51 Olympic medals, with 35 of them being gold. Phelps leads the pack with 28 medals, followed by Coventry and Kitajima with seven medals each, and Franklin with six medals, including five gold. Cielo also clinched three Olympic medals. In World Championships (long course) competitions, the class of 2023 has accumulated a total of 76 medals, 49 of which are gold. Phelps and Franklin stand out with their double-digit gold medals counts, with Phelps securing 26 and Franklin earning 11. Moreover, these swimmers have set a total of 55 world records, with Cielo’s 50-meter freestyle mark of 20.91 set in the 2009 World Championships still standing as the only individual world record. Their success extends beyond Olympic and World Championship events, as they have also earned a combined 35 medals, including 21 titles, from the Pan Pacific Championships. On top of that, this group has represented their countries in a total of 18 Olympic Games, showing their consistency and long-lasting contributions to the sport. They have set world records in every event on the Olympic program except for the 400 freestyle, 800 freestyle, and 1500 freestyle disciplines. To learn more about the Hall of Fame induction ceremony and purchase tickets, visit their website here.
