ICYMI: The 2026 Winter Olympics are currently underway in Milano Cortina. From the “Quad God” to all the athletes winning gold, there has been a ton of buzz around this year’s games. And while we watch history happen, let’s take a walk down memory lane and see how fan-favorite Olympians have transformed over the years:
1.
To start, Michael Phelps made his first Olympic appearance at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Australia, when he was just 15 years old:
His final Olympic appearance was at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, aged 31:
And here’s what he looks like now:
2.
Michelle Kwan made her first Olympic appearance at the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan:
Her final Olympic appearance was at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy, although she never officially competed due to injury:
And here’s what she looks like now:
3.
Shaun White made his first Olympic appearance at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy:
His final Olympic appearance was at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China:
And here’s what he looks like now:
4.
Allyson Felix made her first Olympic appearance at 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece:
Her final Olympic appearance was at the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan, which were officially held in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic:
And here’s what she looks like now:
5.
Usain Bolt made his first Olympic appearance at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece:
His final Olympic appearance was at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
And here’s what he looks like now:
6.
Emma McKeon made her first Olympic appearance at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
Her final Olympic appearance was at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, France:
And here’s what she looks like now:
7.
Tom Daley made his first Olympic appearance at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, China:
His final Olympic appearance was at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, France:
And here’s what he looks like now:
8.
Hope Solo made her first Olympic appearance at 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, China:
Her final Olympic appearance was at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
And here’s what she looks like now:
9.
Michael Jordan made his first Olympic appearance at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles, California:
His final Olympic appearance was at the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona, Spain:
And here’s what he looks like now:
10.
Ariarne Titmus made her first Olympic appearance at the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan:
Her final Olympic appearance was at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, France:
And here’s what she looks like now:
11.
Carl Lewis made his first Olympic appearance at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles, California:
His final Olympic appearance was at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, Georgia:
And here’s what he looks like now:
12.
Alex Morgan made her first Olympic appearance at the 2012 Summer Games in London, England:
Her final Olympic appearance was at the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan:
And here’s what she looks like now:
13.
Andy Murray made his first Olympic appearance at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, China:
His final Olympic appearance was at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, France, which served as the last tournament of his career:
And here’s what he looks like now:
14.
Sue Bird made her first Olympic appearance at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece:
Her final Olympic appearance was at the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan:
And here’s what she looks like now:
15.
Mark Spitz made his first Olympic appearance at the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City, Mexico:
His final Olympic appearance was at the 1972 Summer Games in Munich, Germany:
And here’s what he looks like now:
16.
Aly Raisman made her first Olympic appearance at the 2012 Summer Games in London, England:
Her final Olympic appearance was at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
And here’s what she looks like now:
17.
Mark Cavendish made his first Olympic appearance at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, China:
His final Olympic appearance was at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
And here’s what he looks like now:
18.
Apolo Ohno made his first Olympic appearance at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah:
His final Olympic appearance was at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada:
And here’s what he looks like now:
19.
Finally, Nadia Comăneci made her first Olympic appearance at the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal, Québec, Canada. She made history as the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 on the uneven bars:
Her final Olympic appearance was at the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow, Russia:
And here’s what she looks like now:
Who’s your favorite Olympian of all time?
