Team USA’s swimmer Katie Ledecky won another Olympic gold medal on Wednesday in the women’s 1500-meter freestyle race, further solidifying her position as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in swimming history.
Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images
If you missed watching Bethesda’s native surpass everyone in the pool, highlights are available. (Interestingly, the cameraman had to zoom out to include other swimmers in the shot by the end of the race.)
Ledecky’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics broke the Olympic record for the fastest swim in the women’s 1500-meter freestyle event. Ironically, she held the previous record too.
Katie Ledecky’s Record-Breaking Achievements
How Many Olympic Medals Does Katie Ledecky Have?
Ledecky made her Olympic debut at the 2012 London Olympics and has competed in the 2016 Rio, 2020 Tokyo, and now the 2024 Paris Olympics. Over this period, she has won a total of 12 Olympic medals, including her eighth gold medal on Wednesday. Here’s a breakdown:
2012 London: Gold in 800m freestyle
2016 Rio: Gold in 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle, and 4x200m freestyle relay; Silver in 4x100m freestyle relay
2020 Tokyo: Gold in 800m freestyle and 1500m freestyle; Silver in 400m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay
2024 Paris: Bronze in 400m free-form; Gold in 1500m freestyle
Ledecky is set to compete in the 4×200 meter freestyle relay on Thursday, potentially earning another medal and becoming the American woman with the most Olympic medals.
Ledecky’s Record and Legacy
Ledecky has matched Jenny Thompson’s record for the most gold medals won by any female swimmer. By Thursday, Ledecky and Thompson were tied with the most gold medals won by a female Olympic swimmer from any country. With 13 Olympic medals, Ledecky would tie with Thompson, Dana Torres, and Natalie Coughlin for the most Olympic medals won by an American female swimmer.
According to NBC Olympics, Michael Phelps holds the record for the most Olympic awards, counting 23 golds.
World Records and Unbeaten Streaks
Ledecky holds world records in two events and has broken world records more than a dozen times. Her recent 1500-meter freestyle race at the Paris Olympics broke her own Olympic record. She owns the 20 fastest times in the history of the women’s 1500-meter freestyle and the world record in the 800-meter freestyle.
Unbeaten Streaks
World Championships and Olympics, Katie Ledecky remains unbeaten in the 800-meter and 1500-meter free-form occasions. She was as it were beaten by Australia’s Ariarne Titmus in the 400-meter free-form at Tokyo and once more in Paris. Agreeing to NBC Olympics, Katie Ledecky is the most noteworthy remove swimmer of all time, notwithstanding of sex, with no one coming near to her records in occasions over 400 meters.