USA TODAY is launching a reader poll asking who the greatest U.S. swimmers and gymnasts of all time are, alongside a broader “250 for 250” effort that will roll out weekly lists starting the week of April 20.
Jordan Chiles can still feel the difference between stages even when the spotlight changes. In a recent segment, the Olympic gymnast and gold medalist compared the feeling of winning an Olympic medal with the rhythm of competing in college.
That comparison landed as the latest prompt in a new reader poll from USA TODAY that’s turning sports history into a question for the public: “Who are the greatest U.S. swimmers and gymnasts of all time?”
The poll starts with an obvious pair—Michael Phelps and Simone Biles—names that are likely to draw fast agreement among many voters. But the invitation isn’t just to pick the most decorated athletes of their era. Readers are being asked to add a “sleeper” pick. and to make their case for any omission they see in the list.
The coverage is tied to USA TODAY’s “250 for 250” release schedule. with a plan to publish weekly lists of top American athletes and then open a poll for readers to vote on nominees for the next week’s list. Starting the week of April 20. the outlet will produce those weekly releases—leading up to a special interactive experience surrounding the top 250 athletes in American history.
For those participating. there are two specific voting tracks tied to this moment: a poll for readers to choose their favorite all-time U.S. swimmer or diver, and a separate poll to select their favorite all-time U.S. gymnast. The message is straightforward for voters running into trouble as they try to cast ballots: if the poll doesn’t load. refresh or click the provided link.
The human appeal is clear in the way the poll is framed. For Chiles, the Olympic stage is its own kind of pressure and payoff. For voters. the stakes are different but still personal—because picking a “GOAT” is really about who people watched. what performances they remember. and which careers feel undercounted when the conversation turns to legends.
The next step is participation. Readers are being asked to weigh in on their GOAT picks. add a sleeper suggestion. and press on the omissions they believe matter most. USA TODAY says experts will share their selections next week for the top U.S. gymnasts and swimmers of all time—after the public vote runs its course.
U.S. swimmers U.S. gymnasts GOAT poll Jordan Chiles Michael Phelps Simone Biles 250 for 250 sports poll April 20
Simone Biles obviously. Put her name in and stop making it complicated.
Wait so it’s swimmers AND gymnasts? I thought it was just like a bracket thing. My cousin said Phelps is out now?? idk.
Jordan Chiles comparison to college winning?? that’s cool but this article is acting like it’s about “history” while the poll is basically popularity. I’m trying to vote but it says refresh the link… it never loads for me. Also sleeper pick for swimmer/diver? why are they separating diver like that
250 for 250 sounds like they’re gonna list 250 athletes total but then only let you pick like 1 swimmer and 1 gymnast?? Kinda pointless. I’d put Caeleb Dressel but I swear these polls always forget people from smaller meets. Experts next week “after the public vote” so they’re just gonna overrule anyway lol. Also why does it say April 20 like it’s tomorrow, I’m confused.