Historic Achievement at La Défense Arena
Katie Ledecky has become the most decorated U.S. female athlete in Olympic history. The 27-year-old from the D.C. area earned her 13th Olympic medal during the women’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay at La Défense Arena in Paris, breaking records in the process.
Medal Tally
This latest silver medal is Ledecky’s fourth, adding to her impressive collection of eight gold medals and one bronze. She now ties with American swimmer Jenny Thompson in golds.
Relay Team’s Performance
In the women’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay, Team USA, composed of Claire Weinstein, Paige Madden, Katie Ledecky, and Erin Gemmell, finished second behind Australia, the favored team for gold. China took the bronze.
Past Performances
The U.S. women’s team last won gold in this event during the 2016 Rio Games. They narrowly missed gold again in the 2020 Tokyo Games, taking silver after a close race with China.
Olympic Debut and Career Highlights
Ledecky made her Olympic debut at the 2012 London Games at just 15, where she defeated reigning world champion Kate Ziegler in the 800m freestyle to win gold. She continued to capture the world’s attention at the 2016 and 2020 Games, bringing her total medal count to 10 before this year’s Olympics.
Dominance in Paris
Ledecky has been outstanding in Paris. Before Thursday’s relay, she won a bronze medal in the women’s 400-meter freestyle and a gold in her signature event, the 1,500-meter freestyle, where she broke her own record with an Olympic time of 15:30.02.
“I just wanted to swim a time I could be really happy with, and that was the one. It’s never easy to win a gold medal. Just trying to soak in every moment of it,” Ledecky remarked after her record-breaking swim.
Record-Breaking Career
Throughout her career, Ledecky has shattered 14 world and 37 national records. Following Team USA’s performance on Thursday, she now holds the record for the most medals in women’s Olympic swimming history, surpassing notable swimmers Jenny Thompson, Dara Torres, Natalie Coughlin, and Australian Emma McKeon, each with 12 medals.
Comparison to Michael Phelps
American swimmer Michael Phelps holds the most Olympic medals of any athlete, with 23 gold, three silver, and two bronze.
Looking Ahead
Ledecky’s Olympic journey isn’t over yet. She is set to compete in the women’s 800-meter freestyle final in Paris. The heats begin on Friday at 5 a.m. ET, with the finals scheduled for the following day at 3:08 p.m.
References:
CBS News – https://www.cbsnews.com/news/katie-ledecky-medal-4x200m-freestyle/
ABC 7 News Chicago – https://abc7chicago.com/post/katie-ledecky-becomes-most-decorated-female-us-olympian-time/15133855/
