It’s been exactly 12 years since Katie Ledecky won her first gold medal and her ninth on Saturday, but the American swimming star continues to dazzle the world.
Once a promising 15-year-old who won the 800m freestyle in a stunning victory at the 2012 London Games, Ledecky is now 27 and at the pinnacle of women’s swimming.
She won the event handily, further cementing her newfound title as the most decorated American female Olympian at the Paris 2024 Games.
With a time of 8 hours, 11 minutes and 4 seconds, Ledecky beat out Ariarne Titmus of Australia (8 hours, 12 minutes and 29 seconds, silver medal) and fellow American Paige Madden (8 hours, 13 minutes and 00 seconds, bronze medal) to become her fourth Olympic champion.
2024 Paris Olympics
She became just the second swimmer in history to win the same event at four consecutive Olympic Games, joining fellow American swimming star Michael Phelps.
This was Ledecky’s final race in Paris, and she won two gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal.
Ledecky’s total medal count now stands at 14.
But their interest in continuing to compete could see numbers rise with the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
