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Greatest Olympian ever?

For example, Carl Lewis of the U.S. won nine gold medals, including four straight in one event: the long jump.

For example, Carl Lewis of the U.S. won nine gold medals, including four straight in one event: the long jump.  (Lynne Sladky / AP)

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Birgit Fischer-Schmidt

Birgit Fischer-Schmidt of Germany won her first of eight Olympic kayaking gold medals in 1980, and her last in 2004 as a 42-year-old mother of two.  (Koji Sasahara / AP)

Michael Phelps

Or is it Phelps, and his 11 (as of Wednesday) gold medals?  (Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)

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