Final answer:
Michael Phelps holds the record for the maximum number of gold medals won at a single Olympics, with a total of 8 gold medals during the 2008 Beijing Games.
Step-by-step explanation:
The athlete who has won the maximum number of gold medals at a single Olympics is Michael Phelps. During the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Phelps won an unprecedented 8 gold medals. These wins were in various swimming events, including the 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley, 400m individual medley, 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x200m freestyle relay, and the 4x100m medley relay. Phelps's performance set a new record for the most gold medals won in a single Olympic Games. The previous record was held by Mark Spitz, who won 7 gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics.