THE GREATEST OLYMPIC ATHLETES 

The names of over 794 ancient Olympic victors are known to us in the modern day.(see note 1) Partial victor records exist for the ancient Olympic games, held every four years for almost twelve centuries, from 776 B.C. to 393 A.C. and altogether the victor list consists of over 1029 ancient Olympic victories.(2) The first recorded victor was Koroibos of Elis who won the stadion race in 776 B.C. The last victor about whom we have information was Zopyrus, a boxer from Athens in 385 A.C.(3) Between these two dates there were a total of 291 Olympic festivals. In addition there were probably 2 additional ones after 385 A.C. for which we have no information. Some of the victors are more famous than others. I list here the 12 victors who won the most victories. 

Athlete Victories Event(s) Game YearsLeonidasof Rhodes  

12 stadion, diaulos, hoplitodromos

4 festivals164, 160, 156, 152 B.C.

*Herodorosof Megara

10 heralds 10 festivals328, 324, 320, 316, 312, 308, 304, 300, 296, 292 B.C.

Hermogenesof Xanthos

8? stadion, diaulos, hoplitodromos

3 festivals81, 85, 89 A.C.

Astylosof Kroton/ Syracuse

7 stadion, diaulos, hoplitodromos

3 festivals488, 484, 480 B.C.

Hipposthenesof Sparta

6 boys wrestling, wrestling 6 festivals632, 624, 620, 616, 612, 608 B.C.

Miloof Kroton

6 boys wrestling, wrestling 6 festivals536, 532, 528, 524, 520, 516 B.C.

Chionisof Sparta

6 stadion and diaulos 3 festivals664, 660, 656 B.C.

**Nero of Rome

6 heralds, tragedy, lyre, tethrippon, Foals tethrippon, 10 horse chariot

1 festival67 A.C.

Gorgosof Elis

6 diaulos, hoplitodromos, pentathlon

4 festivals (?)

Aelius Granianus 5 diaulos, hoplitodromos, 4 festivals

of Sikyon pentathlon 133, 137, 141, 145 A.C

Demetriosof Salamis

5 stadion, pentathlon 3 festivals229, 233, 237 A.C.

*Diogenesof Ephesos

5 trumpeter 5 festivals69, 73, 77, 81, 85 A.C.

* periodonikes** Technically the games of 67 A.C. at which Nero won 6 victories were later declared illegitimate.

TRIASTES

It is difficult to single out the finest one-day athletic Olympic achievements for various reasons.   We often have incomplete or non-existent information about the competition in each of the events, the effects of lottery selection of opponents and of byes in certain field events, the weather, or other factors may have influenced the outcomes.   Below is a list of the 7 Olympic athletes who won three times, as TRIASTES, in a single day. The only athlete who definitely accomplished this feat on more than one occasion was Leonidas of Rhodes who achieved TRIASTES status at four different festivals.   Was Leonidas the greatest Olympic athlete of all time?   Arguably he could be. 

Athlete Victories Event(s) Game YearsPhanas Pellene 3 stadion, diaulos,

hoplitodromos512 B.C.

Astylos of Kroton/Syracuse

3 stadion, diaulos, hoplitodromos

480 B.C.

*Nikoklesof Akrion

3 stadion, diaulos, hoplitodromos

100 B.C.

Leonidasof Rhodes

12 stadion, diaulos, hoplitodromos

164, 160, 156, 152 B.C.

Hekatomnosof Miletus

3 stadion, diaulos, hoplitodromos

72 B.C.

*Politesof Keramos

3 stadion, diaulos, dolichos 69 A.C.

*Hermogenesof Xanthos

3 stadion, diaulos, hoplitodromos

81, 89 A.C.

* Nikokles and Polites ran the dolichos. Hermogenes victories are not absolutely certain in these events.