The Most Impressive Olympic Records That Seem Impossible To Break

Every record, no matter how extraordinary, is eventually surpassed—at least, that’s the common belief. The phrase "records are meant to be broken" suggests that no achievement is permanent.

While some records last just a few years and others decades, the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics saw many new records set. However, a few Olympic records are so extraordinary that the likelihood of them being surpassed is nearly nonexistent.

Here’s a look at some Olympic records that are expected to stand the test of time.

Usain Bolt 's 100-Meter Dash: A Record for the Ages
Usain Bolt’s three Olympic gold medals in the 100-meter dash are unmatched, but his Olympic record time of 9.63 seconds at the 2012 London Games may be the most untouchable. Bolt already held the record with a time of 9.69 seconds from the 2008 Beijing Games, but his improvement in London solidified his place in history. Bolt also set the world record in the 100 meters, clocking in at 9.58 seconds during the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. With the top two fastest times in Olympic history and the world record under his belt, Bolt’s legacy in the 100-meter dash is unlikely to be challenged. Additionally, he holds the Olympic and world records in the 200-meter dash.

Nadia Comaneci 's Historic Perfect 10
Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci made history at the 1976 Montreal Olympics by becoming the first gymnast to achieve a perfect score of 10.0 at the Games. At just 14 years old, her flawless routine was so unprecedented that the scoreboards displayed 1.00 because they weren't programmed for a perfect 10.0. Although other gymnasts, like U.S. star Mary Lou Retton, have achieved perfect 10s—Retton did so in the floor exercise and vault at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics—Comaneci will always be remembered as the first. Since the International Gymnastics Federation revised its scoring system in 2006, eliminating the possibility of a perfect 10, her achievement will likely never be replicated.

Kim Yun-mi : The Youngest Olympic Gold Medalist Ever
In the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics, South Korean speed skater Kim Yun-mi secured a gold medal in the women’s 3,000-meter relay at the age of just 13 years and 86 days. This achievement made her the youngest Olympic gold medalist in history, a record that seems unbreakable. While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) does not set a minimum age for Olympic competitors, individual sports federations determine their own age requirements. Following Yun-mi’s victory, the International Skating Union raised the minimum age to 15, making it highly unlikely that her record will ever be broken.

Ian Miller 's Ten Olympic Appearances: A Testament to Longevity
Canadian equestrian Ian Miller's participation in 10 Olympic Games from 1972 to 2012 is unparalleled. No other athlete has competed in as many Olympic Games. The closest competitors, Austrian sailor Hubert Raudaschl, Latvian shooter Afanasijs Kuzmins, and Soviet Union shooter Nino Salukvadze, each appeared in eight Olympics but have since retired. Although Miller never won a gold medal, he did earn a silver medal in the team jumping event at the 2008 Beijing Games. His record for the most Olympic appearances is unlikely to be surpassed.

China ’s Table Tennis Supremacy
Since table tennis was introduced to the Olympics at the 1988 Seoul Games, China has dominated the sport, winning 32 of the 37 available gold medals. Their closest competitor, South Korea, has won only three gold medals, while Japan and Sweden each have two. China’s overall medal tally in table tennis, which includes 20 silver and eight bronze medals, is unmatched and likely to remain unrivaled.

Aladar Gerevich 's Six Consecutive Olympic Gold Medals
Hungarian fencer Aladar Gerevich displayed unmatched consistency and skill by winning gold medals in six consecutive Olympics from 1932 to 1960. This remarkable achievement spans 24 years, with two Olympic Games canceled during that time due to World War II. Gerevich's legendary status in the sport is unchallenged, with only retired British rower Sir Steve Redgrave coming close, having won five consecutive gold medals between 1984 and 2000.

Team USA's 239 Medals at the 1904 Olympics
The United States has been the dominant force in Olympic history, leading all nations with 1,183 gold medals and 2,985 total medals as of the 2024 Paris Games. The most astonishing achievement, however, is the 239 medals (78 gold, 82 silver, 79 bronze) won by the U.S. at the 1904 St. Louis Olympics, which accounted for nearly 85% of all medals awarded that year. This record for the most medals won by a country at a single Olympics is virtually unbreakable.

Michael Phelps: The Ultimate Olympian
American swimmer Michael Phelps set a standard that may never be reached again, winning 23 gold medals and 28 total medals throughout his Olympic career. At the 2008 Beijing Games alone, Phelps claimed an unprecedented eight gold medals. His dominance is underscored by his 80% success rate in the events he competed in. Previously, the record for the most Olympic medals was held by Soviet Union gymnast Larisa Latynina, who won 18 medals, including nine gold, between 1956 and 1964. Phelps’ monumental achievements are likely to remain unmatched in the annals of Olympic history.