Who was the holder of the record for most Olympic medals, before being beaten in London in 2012?

Larisa Semyonovna Latynina (born 27 December 1934) is a former Soviet gymnast. Between 1956 and 1964 she won 14 individual Olympic medals and four team medals. She holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals by a gymnast, male or female, with 9. Her total of 18 Olympic medals was a record for 48 years (Michael Phelps; 31 July 2012). She held the record for individual event medals with 14 for 52 years (Michael Phelps; August 11, 2016). She is credited with helping to establish the Soviet Union as a dominant force in gymnastics.