Usain Bolt didn't hesitate when asked if him or Michael Phelps is the true Olympic GOAT

Usain Bolt made it clear who he felt was the GOAT Olympian when it came to a choice between himself and legendary swimmer Michael Phelps.

Bolt has been retired for several years now but has cemented his reputation as potentially the greatest sprinter of all times after claiming gold medals at three different Olympic Games.

The now 38-year-old burst onto the scene at Beijing 2008 by claiming gold in both the 100m and 200m events.

Bolt then competed at London 2012 to win gold in both events once again, as well as being part of the victorious 4x100m Jamaican relay team to take his tally to five medals across only two Olympics.

Bolt secured his legendary status by achieving yet another clean sweep in the same three events four years later at Rio 2016 to take his tally to an extraordinary eight Olympic golds, before retiring the following year.

Bolt's eight Olympic medals placed him 17th on the list of all-time gold medal winners, but the impressive record is eclipsed by that of retired swimmer Phelps.

Between 2004 and 2016, Phelps claimed a total of 28 Olympic medals across a range of strokes in both individual and team events, winning gold on a remarkable 23 occasions across events in Athens, Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro.

Michael Phelps won 23 Olympic gold medals. (Image: Getty)

In the aftermath of Rio 2016 after Bolt had taken his tally to eight Olympic golds, Bolt was asked on the Dan Patrick Show who he felt held the more impressive achievement out of himself and Phelps.

And Bolt was clear he felt his achievement of being the fastest man on the planet - of which he still holds the world records for both the 100m and 200m - eclipsed that of the now retired swimmer and officially the most decorated Olympian of all time.

A confident Bolt said: "I would have to go for myself, for sure. It's just hard work and dedication. It's what I wanted (to be the fastest man on the planet) so I knew if I wanted it, I had to work for it.

"I have a great team around me, a great coach that helps me to stay focused and I just work towards what I want.

"I'm just always staying on top. When I started I was quick, but I think when I was like 15 or 16 was when I really realised I had a great talent."