Michael Phelps (USA) holds the record for the most medals won in the pool at a single Olympics, picking up a record eight at not one but two separate Games: Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

In Athens, he won six golds (100 m butterfly, 200 m butterfly and medley, 400 m medley, 4 x 100 m medley and 4 x 200 m freestyle) and two bronzes (200 m freestyle and 4 x 100 m freestyle), while in Beijing, four years later, he claimed a remarkable eight gold medals (100 m butterfly; 200 m freestyle, butterfly and medley; 400 m medley; 4 x 100 m freestyle and medley relays; and 4 x 200 m freestyle relay).