Who among the following sportspersons holds the record for the highest number of Olympic gold medals in the history of the Games?

Introduction / Context:
The Olympic Games showcase the greatest athletes in the world, and some of them set records that stand out for decades. One of the most important records is the total number of gold medals won by a single athlete across multiple Olympic Games. This question asks you to identify the sportsperson who holds the record for the highest number of Olympic gold medals, a statistic that is widely reported and repeatedly included in sports general knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question asks about the record for most Olympic gold medals by an individual athlete.
- Options are Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, Larisa Latynina, Ian Thorpe, and Carl Lewis.
- We assume familiarity with basic Olympic history and high profile athletes from athletics and swimming.

Concept / Approach:
To answer this correctly, you should know that swimmer Michael Phelps of the United States has won more Olympic gold medals than any other athlete. He accumulated a total of twenty three gold medals across several Olympics, making him the record holder. Larisa Latynina once held the record for most overall Olympic medals, but Phelps later surpassed her. Usain Bolt, Ian Thorpe, and Carl Lewis are also legendary athletes with multiple golds but far fewer than Phelps. The exam expects you to recall this headline statistic and map it to the right name.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the question is about total gold medals, not total medals or world records in specific events.
Step 2: Recall that Michael Phelps is widely known as the most decorated Olympian, with a record number of gold medals.
Step 3: Understand that Usain Bolt, though dominant in sprinting, has eight Olympic gold medals, which is fewer than Phelps total.
Step 4: Remember that Larisa Latynina, Ian Thorpe, and Carl Lewis have multiple gold medals but do not surpass Phelps record count.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is Michael Phelps.

Verification / Alternative check:
Many sports summaries introduce Michael Phelps with the phrase most decorated Olympian of all time, highlighting his unmatched number of gold medals. If you recall this description, it directly answers the question. In contrast, while Larisa Latynina once held a record for total Olympic medals, she no longer holds the gold medal record after Phelps achievements.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Usain Bolt is often called the fastest man in the world and has eight Olympic golds, but this total is still well below Phelps tally.

Larisa Latynina, a gymnast from the Soviet Union, has many medals and held an important record historically, but she does not exceed Phelps gold medal count.

Ian Thorpe, an Australian swimmer, has several gold medals but not enough to challenge the record held by Phelps.

Carl Lewis is an athletics legend with multiple Olympic golds, yet his total is also lower than that of Phelps.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates confuse the record for most medals with the record for most gold medals, or they assume that the most famous sprinter must hold the overall record. Others remember that Larisa Latynina once held a record but do not account for the fact that Phelps later surpassed her. Clarifying the distinction between total medals and gold medals, and keeping track of updated records, prevents such errors.

Final Answer:
The sportsperson who holds the record for the highest number of Olympic gold medals is Michael Phelps.