Katie Ledecky eyes Olympic history
Katie Ledecky reached the podium on day one of the 2024 Summer Olympics, winning bronze in the 400m freestyle. The current world record holder, Australia’s Ariarne Titmus, finished first.
Twelve years ago, Ledecky made her Olympic debut as a 15-year-old in London, taking home gold in the 800m freestyle. Now in Paris, she is looking to become the most decorated women’s swimmer in Olympic history.
It feels like she has been around for a while, but at 27, she still has a lot left in the tank. Ledecky will compete in two more individual races: the 1,500 and the 800m freestyle. She has won gold in the 800 three times in a row and will try to become the first female to win four consecutive gold medals in a single event.
Katie Ledecky wins medal №11 of her decorated career!@TeamUSA | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/LeJVP0vgIY
— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) July 27, 2024
Ledecky is chasing a number of career achievements that would put her ahead of the competition in the all-time ranks. She is only two golds away from tying gymnast Larisa Latynina (9) for the most first-place finishes in women’s Olympic history, and her 11 total medals currently rank third all-time in women’s Olympic swimming behind Natalie Coughlin (12) and Jenny Thompson (12).
She has the ability to tie or pass all of them up with a strong showing at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, and she could easily still be on the team in Los Angeles when 2028 rolls around.
“I think 2028 would be an incredible cap on my career, but I don’t even want to say that at this point because, who knows, I could get to 2028 and say, no, I don’t want to be done yet, I want to keep going,” said Ledecky.
Competing in the longest swimming events year after year would be tiresome for most athletes, but not for Ledecky. She loves swimming above all else and trains in the pool for two hours straight ten times a week. Most would burn out a lot quicker, dedicating their life to one single physical activity. For Ledecky, it is easy because she does not view it as a job or grueling task but rather a hobby.
“It is just something that I love to do, and I never thought I would make it to the Olympics. It is a nice reminder when you see the Olympic Games that it is a game that you are at; it is not anything more than that,” said Ledecky. “It is something that should always be fun. I should always have a smile on my face when I’m at the pool, and that is how I try to keep it.”
GOAT TALK ?
7x Olympic champion @katieledecky spotted speaking at the @USASwimming press conference. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/PfGCNMX5N0
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 24, 2024
Ledecky holds the Olympic record in both of her two reaming events and has dominated the competition from those distances for quite some time. She is widely expected to win at least one or both of the 800 and 1,500m freestyle after facing much tougher competition in the 400. She will likely have another opportunity to medal during the 4X200m relay event as well.
Win or lose, she will enjoy the moment and just be happy each and every time she enters the pool. Even on the verge of history, you get the sense that the records are just an added bonus.
Ledecky will be swimming long after her professional career is over, and there is something to be said about someone who trains simply because she likes to rather than because she feels like she has to.
Top Image Caption:
PARIS, FRANCE — JULY 27: Swimming, Aquatics Centre, Arena De La Defense, Womens 400m freestyle, Katie Ledecky of USA with the bronze during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 27, 2024, in Paris, France. (Photo by Simon West/Action Plus/Icon Sportswire)