Top 10 Greatest Winter Olympic Athletes of All Time

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[Music] they are the best of the best when it

they are the best of the best when it

they are the best of the best when it comes to ice and snow welcome to

comes to ice and snow welcome to

comes to ice and snow welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 greatest

down our picks for the top 10 greatest

down our picks for the top 10 greatest Winter Olympic athletes of all time

Winter Olympic athletes of all time

Winter Olympic athletes of all time before we begin we publish new videos

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so be sure to subscribe for more great content for this list we’re taking a

content for this list we’re taking a

content for this list we’re taking a look at the most impressive competitors

look at the most impressive competitors

look at the most impressive competitors to ever participate in the Winter

to ever participate in the Winter

to ever participate in the Winter Olympic Games as ranked by the active

Olympic Games as ranked by the active

Olympic Games as ranked by the active times in their article the 50 greatest

times in their article the 50 greatest

times in their article the 50 greatest winter Olympians we’re basing our list

winter Olympians we’re basing our list

winter Olympians we’re basing our list on overall medal count as well as the

on overall medal count as well as the

on overall medal count as well as the types of metals won so if your favourite

types of metals won so if your favourite

types of metals won so if your favourite Winter Olympian only won a couple of

Winter Olympian only won a couple of

Winter Olympian only won a couple of silvers they will not make the cut

silvers they will not make the cut

silvers they will not make the cut number 10 Apolo Anton Ohno USA from 2002

number 10 Apolo Anton Ohno USA from 2002

number 10 Apolo Anton Ohno USA from 2002 to 2010 Apolo Anton Ohno dominated the

to 2010 Apolo Anton Ohno dominated the

to 2010 Apolo Anton Ohno dominated the world of short-track speedskating

world of short-track speedskating

world of short-track speedskating during that span he won eight Olympic

during that span he won eight Olympic

during that span he won eight Olympic medals too gold to silver and four

medals too gold to silver and four

medals too gold to silver and four bronze which means he’s tied for the

bronze which means he’s tied for the

bronze which means he’s tied for the most by a short track speed skater in

most by a short track speed skater in

most by a short track speed skater in Olympic history while he competed in

Olympic history while he competed in

Olympic history while he competed in three Olympic Games Salt Lake City Turin

three Olympic Games Salt Lake City Turin

three Olympic Games Salt Lake City Turin and Vancouver he’s arguably most famous

and Vancouver he’s arguably most famous

and Vancouver he’s arguably most famous for the first in Salt Lake City Ohno won

for the first in Salt Lake City Ohno won

for the first in Salt Lake City Ohno won a gold and a silver while also being a

a gold and a silver while also being a

a gold and a silver while also being a key cog in two famous or infamous

key cog in two famous or infamous

key cog in two famous or infamous finishes of course nowadays most people

finishes of course nowadays most people

finishes of course nowadays most people know him best for his on-screen

know him best for his on-screen

know him best for his on-screen accomplishments what with his 2007 win

accomplishments what with his 2007 win

accomplishments what with his 2007 win on Dancing with the Stars and for his

on Dancing with the Stars and for his

on Dancing with the Stars and for his time hosting minute to win it number

time hosting minute to win it number

time hosting minute to win it number nine she had two Andrei emot– Norway as

nine she had two Andrei emot– Norway as

nine she had two Andrei emot– Norway as will soon become apparent Norwegians and

will soon become apparent Norwegians and

will soon become apparent Norwegians and winter sports go together like peanut

winter sports go together like peanut

winter sports go together like peanut butter and jelly

butter and jelly

butter and jelly the first Scandinavian athlete to make

the first Scandinavian athlete to make

the first Scandinavian athlete to make our list is Sheetal Andre o moat and boy

our list is Sheetal Andre o moat and boy

our list is Sheetal Andre o moat and boy did he ever clean up between 1992 and

did he ever clean up between 1992 and

did he ever clean up between 1992 and 2006 as the most decorated ski racer in

2006 as the most decorated ski racer in

2006 as the most decorated ski racer in the country’s illustrious sporting

the country’s illustrious sporting

the country’s illustrious sporting history almost brought home eight medals

history almost brought home eight medals

history almost brought home eight medals during his time on the Olympic slopes

during his time on the Olympic slopes

during his time on the Olympic slopes four of which were gold add to that

four of which were gold add to that

four of which were gold add to that another 12 World Championship medals and

another 12 World Championship medals and

another 12 World Championship medals and you have one seriously impressive

you have one seriously impressive

you have one seriously impressive athlete incredibly all of emotes medals

athlete incredibly all of emotes medals

athlete incredibly all of emotes medals were stolen from his home in 2003 but he

were stolen from his home in 2003 but he

were stolen from his home in 2003 but he was able to retrieve them shortly

was able to retrieve them shortly

was able to retrieve them shortly thereafter

thereafter

thereafter and if you’re wondering no he didn’t

and if you’re wondering no he didn’t

and if you’re wondering no he didn’t catch them on a ski slope thanks to his

catch them on a ski slope thanks to his

catch them on a ski slope thanks to his insane skills number eight Rico grouse

insane skills number eight Rico grouse

insane skills number eight Rico grouse Germany few by athletes have achieved

Germany few by athletes have achieved

Germany few by athletes have achieved the same level of success as Rico grouse

the same level of success as Rico grouse

the same level of success as Rico grouse a veteran of five Olympic Games between

a veteran of five Olympic Games between

a veteran of five Olympic Games between 1992 and 2006 grouse competed in four

1992 and 2006 grouse competed in four

1992 and 2006 grouse competed in four different competitive formats individual

different competitive formats individual

different competitive formats individual sprint pursuit and relay however it was

sprint pursuit and relay however it was

sprint pursuit and relay however it was the latter where he made a name for

the latter where he made a name for

the latter where he made a name for himself as one of the greatest by

himself as one of the greatest by

himself as one of the greatest by athletes of his generation over that

athletes of his generation over that

athletes of his generation over that 14-year span

14-year span

14-year span he and his varied cast of teammates

he and his varied cast of teammates

he and his varied cast of teammates bagged four gold medals and one silver

bagged four gold medals and one silver

bagged four gold medals and one silver in the event making him the only buy

in the event making him the only buy

in the event making him the only buy athlete to win four golds in the relay

athlete to win four golds in the relay

athlete to win four golds in the relay in the history of the Winter Olympics

in the history of the Winter Olympics

in the history of the Winter Olympics number seven Eric Hyden USA if you’re

number seven Eric Hyden USA if you’re

number seven Eric Hyden USA if you’re basing your picks for the greatest

basing your picks for the greatest

basing your picks for the greatest Winter Olympic athletes of all time

Winter Olympic athletes of all time

Winter Olympic athletes of all time solely on numbers then Eric Hyden might

solely on numbers then Eric Hyden might

solely on numbers then Eric Hyden might not make the skating cut seeing is how

not make the skating cut seeing is how

not make the skating cut seeing is how he only won five during his time as a

he only won five during his time as a

he only won five during his time as a long track speed skater however context

long track speed skater however context

long track speed skater however context is everything and the way the legendary

is everything and the way the legendary

is everything and the way the legendary Hyden won his medals is crucial when

Hyden won his medals is crucial when

Hyden won his medals is crucial when discussing his insane achievements he

discussing his insane achievements he

discussing his insane achievements he won all five of his medals at the 1980

won all five of his medals at the 1980

won all five of his medals at the 1980 Games in Lake Placid when he was just 21

Games in Lake Placid when he was just 21

Games in Lake Placid when he was just 21 years old oh and they were all gold in

years old oh and they were all gold in

years old oh and they were all gold in fact that year Hyden won more gold

fact that year Hyden won more gold

fact that year Hyden won more gold medals himself than all but two

medals himself than all but two

medals himself than all but two countries number six

countries number six

countries number six klaudia peck Stein Germany Claudia Peck

klaudia peck Stein Germany Claudia Peck

klaudia peck Stein Germany Claudia Peck Stein’s Olympic stats are the stuff of

Stein’s Olympic stats are the stuff of

Stein’s Olympic stats are the stuff of legend as a speed skater she competed in

legend as a speed skater she competed in

legend as a speed skater she competed in six Winter Olympics from 1992 to 2014

six Winter Olympics from 1992 to 2014

six Winter Olympics from 1992 to 2014 and in the process managed to win nine

and in the process managed to win nine

and in the process managed to win nine medals five gold to silver to bronze and

medals five gold to silver to bronze and

medals five gold to silver to bronze and set two Olympic records her haul was

set two Olympic records her haul was

set two Olympic records her haul was good enough to make her the most

good enough to make her the most

good enough to make her the most decorated German Winter Olympian of all

decorated German Winter Olympian of all

decorated German Winter Olympian of all time and the most decorated speed skater

time and the most decorated speed skater

time and the most decorated speed skater ever as well it’s important to mention

ever as well it’s important to mention

ever as well it’s important to mention that she didn’t even compete at the 2010

that she didn’t even compete at the 2010

that she didn’t even compete at the 2010 Olympics due to a ban for blood doping a

Olympics due to a ban for blood doping a

Olympics due to a ban for blood doping a charge she’s continually denied but in

charge she’s continually denied but in

charge she’s continually denied but in 2018 she made a return to the Olympics

2018 she made a return to the Olympics

2018 she made a return to the Olympics competing at almost 46 years old number

competing at almost 46 years old number

competing at almost 46 years old number five

five

five Raisa smitten inna USSR and the unified

Raisa smitten inna USSR and the unified

Raisa smitten inna USSR and the unified team

team

team one word comes to mind when you think of

one word comes to mind when you think of

one word comes to mind when you think of it Isis met Annina winner a

it Isis met Annina winner a

it Isis met Annina winner a cross-country skier sometta Nina

cross-country skier sometta Nina

cross-country skier sometta Nina competed for both the Soviet Union and

competed for both the Soviet Union and

competed for both the Soviet Union and the unified team of former Soviet

the unified team of former Soviet

the unified team of former Soviet republics between 1976 and 1992 it was

republics between 1976 and 1992 it was

republics between 1976 and 1992 it was during those years that she became the

during those years that she became the

during those years that she became the woman of firsts that we know today

woman of firsts that we know today

woman of firsts that we know today Antonina is the first female athlete to

Antonina is the first female athlete to

Antonina is the first female athlete to win a whopping 10 Olympic medals and

win a whopping 10 Olympic medals and

win a whopping 10 Olympic medals and when she won gold at the age of 39 in

when she won gold at the age of 39 in

when she won gold at the age of 39 in Albertville in 1992 she became at that

Albertville in 1992 she became at that

Albertville in 1992 she became at that time the oldest female winner in Winter

time the oldest female winner in Winter

time the oldest female winner in Winter Olympic history so basically Iesus Mehta

Olympic history so basically Iesus Mehta

Olympic history so basically Iesus Mehta Nina was badass

Nina was badass

Nina was badass number four stephania Belmondo italy

number four stephania Belmondo italy

number four stephania Belmondo italy remember when we said that Raisa Smitha

remember when we said that Raisa Smitha

remember when we said that Raisa Smitha Nina was the first Olympian to win ten

Nina was the first Olympian to win ten

Nina was the first Olympian to win ten medals guess who was second standing at

medals guess who was second standing at

medals guess who was second standing at just five feet two inches tall

just five feet two inches tall

just five feet two inches tall Stefania Belmondo was considered quite

Stefania Belmondo was considered quite

Stefania Belmondo was considered quite small for the sport of cross-country

small for the sport of cross-country

small for the sport of cross-country skiing but even so she won ten medals

skiing but even so she won ten medals

skiing but even so she won ten medals spread across five Olympics making her

spread across five Olympics making her

spread across five Olympics making her the most successful Italian Winter

the most successful Italian Winter

the most successful Italian Winter Olympic athlete of all time

Olympic athlete of all time

Olympic athlete of all time her career included a multi-year hiatus

her career included a multi-year hiatus

her career included a multi-year hiatus brought on by a disappointing turn at

brought on by a disappointing turn at

brought on by a disappointing turn at the 94 Games and by disappointing we

the 94 Games and by disappointing we

the 94 Games and by disappointing we mean she only won a couple of bronze

mean she only won a couple of bronze

mean she only won a couple of bronze medals the incomparable talent capped

medals the incomparable talent capped

medals the incomparable talent capped off her career in 2002 by winning gold

off her career in 2002 by winning gold

off her career in 2002 by winning gold in Salt Lake City number three only

in Salt Lake City number three only

in Salt Lake City number three only einar bjørndalen Norway bare with us

einar bjørndalen Norway bare with us

einar bjørndalen Norway bare with us here because only einar bjørndalen has

here because only einar bjørndalen has

here because only einar bjørndalen has accomplished a lot the norwegian

accomplished a lot the norwegian

accomplished a lot the norwegian biathlete holds the record for most

biathlete holds the record for most

biathlete holds the record for most medals won by a Winter Olympian with 13

medals won by a Winter Olympian with 13

medals won by a Winter Olympian with 13 and is tied with Bjorn Dahle for the

and is tied with Bjorn Dahle for the

and is tied with Bjorn Dahle for the most gold medals of all time with eight

most gold medals of all time with eight

most gold medals of all time with eight Buuren Dawn’s Olympic career began in

Buuren Dawn’s Olympic career began in

Buuren Dawn’s Olympic career began in 1994 but he didn’t get his first taste

1994 but he didn’t get his first taste

1994 but he didn’t get his first taste of gold until four years later from

of gold until four years later from

of gold until four years later from there he began to amass medals at an

there he began to amass medals at an

there he began to amass medals at an alarming rate until one day he found

alarming rate until one day he found

alarming rate until one day he found himself looking down on every other buy

himself looking down on every other buy

himself looking down on every other buy athlete in history unfortunately he

athlete in history unfortunately he

athlete in history unfortunately he didn’t qualify for the 2018 Olympics in

didn’t qualify for the 2018 Olympics in

didn’t qualify for the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang so he won’t be adding to his

Pyeongchang so he won’t be adding to his

Pyeongchang so he won’t be adding to his totals number two Sonja Henie Norway

totals number two Sonja Henie Norway

totals number two Sonja Henie Norway quick what were you doing when you were

quick what were you doing when you were

quick what were you doing when you were 11 years old

11 years old

11 years old if your answer was competing at the 1924

if your answer was competing at the 1924

if your answer was competing at the 1924 Winter Olympics and sham Oney France

Winter Olympics and sham Oney France

Winter Olympics and sham Oney France congratulations your Norwegian figure

congratulations your Norwegian figure

congratulations your Norwegian figure skating legend Sonja Henie that’s right

skating legend Sonja Henie that’s right

skating legend Sonja Henie that’s right penny competed in her first Olympic

penny competed in her first Olympic

penny competed in her first Olympic at the tender age of eleven and although

at the tender age of eleven and although

at the tender age of eleven and although she finished dead last she just kept on

she finished dead last she just kept on

she finished dead last she just kept on truckin

truckin

truckin well skating she eventually won gold in

well skating she eventually won gold in

well skating she eventually won gold in 1928 1932 and 1936 and finished her

1928 1932 and 1936 and finished her

1928 1932 and 1936 and finished her career as the most decorated female

career as the most decorated female

career as the most decorated female figure skater she went on to achieve

figure skater she went on to achieve

figure skater she went on to achieve success in Hollywood as well starring in

success in Hollywood as well starring in

success in Hollywood as well starring in numerous films before her untimely death

numerous films before her untimely death

numerous films before her untimely death in 1969 number one Bjorn dolly Norway

in 1969 number one Bjorn dolly Norway

in 1969 number one Bjorn dolly Norway Norway yes way if our lists were an

Norway yes way if our lists were an

Norway yes way if our lists were an Olympic podium then Norway just pulled

Olympic podium then Norway just pulled

Olympic podium then Norway just pulled off the sweep coming in at number one is

off the sweep coming in at number one is

off the sweep coming in at number one is Bjorn dolly winner of twelve Olympic

Bjorn dolly winner of twelve Olympic

Bjorn dolly winner of twelve Olympic medals between 1992 and 1998 tack on an

medals between 1992 and 1998 tack on an

medals between 1992 and 1998 tack on an additional 17 World Championship medals

additional 17 World Championship medals

additional 17 World Championship medals and you have the most metaled

and you have the most metaled

and you have the most metaled cross-country skier in history as

cross-country skier in history as

cross-country skier in history as mentioned dolly is tied with Ollie einar

mentioned dolly is tied with Ollie einar

mentioned dolly is tied with Ollie einar bjørndalen for the most medals in Winter

bjørndalen for the most medals in Winter

bjørndalen for the most medals in Winter Olympics history but even with the tie

Olympics history but even with the tie

Olympics history but even with the tie dolly is often considered one of the

dolly is often considered one of the

dolly is often considered one of the greatest Olympians of all time winter or

greatest Olympians of all time winter or

greatest Olympians of all time winter or summer he’s managed to translate his

summer he’s managed to translate his

summer he’s managed to translate his success on snow into even greater

success on snow into even greater

success on snow into even greater success in business as his companies

success in business as his companies

success in business as his companies have made him one of the 400 richest

have made him one of the 400 richest

have made him one of the 400 richest people in Norway Bjorn to win

you

you [Music]