Katie Ledecky continues to rewrite the history books, becoming the most decorated woman in Olympic swimming. On Thursday, Team USA secured a silver medal in the women’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay, giving Ledecky her 13th career Olympic medal. This achievement allowed her to surpass the previous record she shared with fellow swimmers Natalie Coughlin, Jenny Thompson, and Dara Torres.
A Milestone Moment in Olympic Swimming
At 27, the Maryland native reached yet another milestone just a day before this historic win. On Wednesday, Ledecky claimed her eighth gold and 12th overall Olympic medal in the 1500m freestyle event. She completed the race with an impressive time of 15:30.02, setting a new Olympic record. Her victory tied her with Jenny Thompson for the most gold medals ever won by a female swimmer in the Olympics.
Ledecky reflected on her journey with deep gratitude, expressing her appreciation for the support of her teammates and coaches. “To my Florida crew, all those Florida boys who pushed me every day, I love you guys,” she shared. “I know I make your life hard a lot of days, but you guys made my life a lot easier today, so thank you so much.”
Breaking Records with Team USA
The silver medal in Thursday’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay added another significant chapter to Ledecky’s career. Competing alongside Claire Weinstein, Paige Madden, and Erin Gemmell, the team finished second to Australia. This race not only earned Ledecky her 13th Olympic medal but also cemented her legacy as the most decorated female swimmer in Olympic history. Globally, only Michael Phelps, with 28 medals, stands ahead of her in the Olympic rankings.
Looking Ahead to Future Competitions
Despite already being a four-time Olympian, Ledecky shows no signs of slowing down. With one more opportunity to compete in the 800m freestyle on Saturday, she has a chance to further increase her medal count. Additionally, Ledecky has her sights set on competing at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. “Yeah, I’ve been consistent these last few months and these last few years, in saying that I would love to compete in LA, and that hasn’t changed,” she confirmed.
Celebrating a Swimming Legend
As Katie Ledecky continues to break records and inspire athletes around the world, her remarkable achievements solidify her status as the greatest of all time in women’s swimming. Congratulations to Katie on yet another extraordinary milestone!
