Olympic Athletes Then Vs. Now Photos

From Michael Phelps to Usain Bolt, see how these Olympians have transformed over the years.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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The article takes a look at how some of the most famous Olympic athletes have changed over the years, from their first Olympic appearance to their final one, and what they look like now. It features athletes like Michael Phelps, Michelle Kwan, Shaun White, Allyson Felix, Usain Bolt, and more.

Why it matters

This article provides a nostalgic look at the evolution of some of the most iconic Olympic athletes over the past few decades, giving readers a glimpse into how these sports stars have aged and changed since their glory days on the world stage.

The details

The article features 18 different Olympic athletes, showing their first Olympic appearance, their final Olympic appearance, and what they look like now. It includes swimmers like Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz, gymnasts like Nadia Comăneci and Aly Raisman, sprinters like Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix, and many other renowned Olympians.

  • Michael Phelps made his first Olympic appearance at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Australia, when he was 15 years old.
  • Michael Phelps' final Olympic appearance was at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when he was 31 years old.
  • Michelle Kwan made her first Olympic appearance at the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.
  • Michelle Kwan's final Olympic appearance was at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy, although she never officially competed due to injury.
  • Usain Bolt made his first Olympic appearance at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece.
  • Usain Bolt's final Olympic appearance was at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The players

Michael Phelps

An American former competitive swimmer who is the most successful and most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 28 Olympic medals.

Michelle Kwan

An American figure skater who is a five-time World champion and a nine-time U.S. champion.

Usain Bolt

A Jamaican former sprinter who is considered the greatest sprinter of all time and holds the world records in the 100m and 200m events.

Allyson Felix

An American track and field sprinter who is the most decorated Olympian in track and field history.

Nadia Comăneci

A Romanian former gymnast who was the first gymnast to be awarded a perfect score of 10 in an Olympic gymnastics event.

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The takeaway

This article provides a fascinating look at how some of the most iconic Olympic athletes have aged and changed over the course of their illustrious careers, reminding us of the incredible feats they accomplished and the lasting impact they've had on their respective sports.