Katie Ledecky, widely recognized as the greatest female swimmer ever, secured gold in the 1,500-meter freestyle at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Ledecky led the race from start to finish, setting a new Olympic record with a time of 15:30.02. This win marks her first gold medal of these Games, adding to the bronze she won in the 400-meter freestyle earlier.
With this victory, Ledecky has now accumulated 12 Olympic medals over four Games, equaling the record for the most Olympic swimming medals won by a woman.
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She shares this record with Americans Jenny Thompson, Dara Torres, Natalie Coughlin, and Australian Emma McKeon, who is also competing in Paris.
At 27, Ledecky remains unbeaten in the 1,500-meter freestyle throughout her professional career, holding both the world record and the 20 fastest times in the event. The last time she lost in this race was 14 years ago, during a regional meet as a high school student.
Katie Ledecky’s Olympic medals:
London 2012:
- Gold: 800m freestyle
Rio de Janeiro 2016:
- Gold: 200m freestyle
- Gold: 400m freestyle
- Gold: 800m freestyle
- Gold: 4x200m freestyle relay
- Silver: 4x100m freestyle relay
Tokyo 2020:
- Gold: 800m freestyle
- Gold: 1500m freestyle
- Silver: 400m freestyle
- Silver: 4x200m freestyle relay
Paris 2024:
- Bronze: 400m freestyle
- Gold: 1500m freestyle
Katie Ledecky’s impressive achievements solidify her status as one of the most decorated swimmers in history.
