1. Michael Phelps:  The undisputed king of the pool, with a record-breaking medal count.

2. Jenny Thompson:  A force in the water, capturing multiple golds.

3. Natalie Coughlin:  A versatile swimmer with a impressive medal tally.

4. Dara Torres:  A veteran athlete who continued to excel in later years.

5. Katie Ledecky:  A rising star, already making waves in the swimming world.

6. Carl Lewis:  A sprinting and long jump extraordinaire.

7. Allyson Felix:  A versatile sprinter and relay specialist.

8. Bonnie Blair:  A speed skating champion with multiple gold medals.

9. Eric Heiden:  Another speed skating legend, dominating the ice.

Greatest American Athletes of All Time