Ledecky swam 8 minutes and 11.04 seconds, making her the only woman – and alongside the great Michael Phelps, the only swimmer – to win four Olympic golds in the same event. This triumph marks Ledecky’s ninth Olympic gold medal, increasing her overall tally to 14 medals.
“The four-time record is what means the most to me right now,” said the 27-year-old Ledecky afterward. “I put a lot of pressure on myself, so I’m glad I finally accomplished the task.” Ledecky secured four medals in Paris recently – two golds, one silver, and one bronze. On Thursday, with the silver in the women’s 4×200-meter relay, she became the most decorated female Olympian for the United States. Ledecky has been so dominant in the 800-meter freestyle that she has only lost once in this event in 13 years – to the rising star McIntosh at a regional competition in 2024. McIntosh, however, chose not to compete in the 800-meter freestyle in Paris, leaving Ledecky’s main rival as her former opponent, Ariarne Titmus. The Australian Titmus had beaten Ledecky for the 400-meter freestyle gold earlier in the week, but could not keep up with the American in the final stretch of her favorite distance. At the end of the race, Ledecky lifted both their arms in triumph, and Titmus applauded her rival as she left the arena.
Ledecky’s Olympic Medals
London 2012 (1)
- Gold – 800-meter freestyle
Rio 2016 (5)
- Gold – 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay
- Silver – 4x100m freestyle relay
Tokyo 2020 (4)
- Gold – 800m freestyle, 1500m freestyle
- Silver – 400m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay
Paris 2024 (4)
- Gold – 800m freestyle, 1500m freestyle
- Silver – 4x200m freestyle relay
- Bronze – 400m freestyle
Born in Washington in 1997, Ledecky fell in love with swimming at the age of six, inspired by her mother, who was a collegiate swimmer. Even during her high school years, Ledecky broke several longstanding American records, earning a sports scholarship to Stanford University. At Stanford, Ledecky continued to shine, gaining national fame. She won eight NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) titles and set an impressive 15 NCAA records, leading her team to consecutive NCAA team championships and two Pac-12 team championships.
Ledecky made her Olympic debut at the age of 15 at the 2012 London Olympics. She won her first gold medal in the 800-meter freestyle, defeating reigning world champion Kate Ziegler, and thus began her remarkable Olympic journey. Over the past 12 years, Ledecky has reigned supreme in the pools. “Seeing someone dominate the distance event for 13 years is simply brilliant,” said Steve Parry, the British 2004 Olympic bronze medalist.