By Eighth time’s the charm for Katie Ledecky.
The 27-year-old American swimmer won gold yet again in the 1500-meter freestyle on Wednesday, July 31, at La Defense Arena in Paris. This victory ties her for the most gold medals in Olympic history by a female swimmer, with a total of eight.
Ledecky swam a remarkable 15:30.02, finishing well ahead of her closest competitor, Anastasiia Kirpichnikova of France, who earned the silver medal with a time of 15:40.35. This win marks Ledecky’s second consecutive Olympic gold in the 1500-meter freestyle, an event that was only introduced for female swimmers at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
In addition to her gold medal, Ledecky set a new Olympic record, surpassing her previous time of 15:35.35 set in Tokyo.
The atmosphere in La Defense Arena was electric as Ledecky touched the wall, her face a mix of triumph and relief. She let out a joyful yell and slapped the water in celebration, a testament to the intense effort she put into the race.
“It’s never easy to win a gold medal,” Ledecky told reporters, including PEOPLE, after the medal ceremony. “So I’m just trying to soak in every moment of it. Each victory feels like a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and the support of my team and family.”
During the long-distance race, Ledecky admitted that her mind often wandered. “You know, three years ago in Tokyo, I was repeating my grandparents’ names in my head a lot. And today, I kind of settled on the boys’ names, the boys at Florida that I train with every day. Their encouragement and support are always with me.”
Ledecky’s performance not only demonstrates her dominance in the sport but also her remarkable consistency and resilience. Despite the intense pressure and high expectations, she continues to deliver outstanding performances on the world stage.
With this latest achievement, Ledecky’s place in the pantheon of swimming greats is further cemented. Her journey from a promising young swimmer to an Olympic legend serves as an inspiration to athletes everywhere.
As she stood on the podium, gold medal around her neck, Ledecky took a moment to reflect on her journey. “Every race, every medal, it’s a part of my story. And I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent my country and do what I love.”
People.com
