While Michael Phelps lost out to LeBron James for the 2016 title of Sportsperson of the Year, he received a different honor at last night’s Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year gala at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Phelps was recognized during the ceremony by three fellow Olympians: swimmer Tom Dolan, gymnast Aly Raisman and track & field athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee. They presented him with a special award naming him the ‘Greatest Olympian of All-Time.’
Phelps is the most decorated Olympian ever with 26 Olympic medals, 23 of which are gold.