Katie Ledecky broke yet another record Thursday after Team USA won a silver medal in the women’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay.
The 27-year-old became the most decorated woman in Olympic swimming history with 13 medals. Her latest win broke a tie she previously held with swimmers Natalie Coughlin, Jenny Thompson, and Dara Torres.
The Maryland native won her eighth gold and 12th overall medal Wednesday during the grueling 1500m freestyle. Ledecky finished the race in Olympic record time – 15:30.02 – to tie Thompson for the most gold medals by any female swimmer in Olympic history.
While Ledecky swam she told reporters she let her mind wander and thought about all the people who helped her get to where she is today.
“And I kind of let my mind wander during the race, thinking of all the people that have trained with me. Was kind of like saying their names in my head and thinking about them. To my Florida crew, all those Florida boys that pushed me every day, I love you guys. I mean, I know I make your life hard a lot of days, but you guys made my life a lot easier today, so thank you so much.”
On Thursday, the 27-year-old swimmer had yet another chance to add to her medal count.
Team USA, consisting of Ledecky, Claire Weinstein, Paige Madden and Erin Gemmell, competed in the 4 x 200m freestyle relay and won second coming in behind Australia.
The team’s win gave Ledecky her 13th medal making her the most decorated American woman in Olympic history and the most decorated woman of any country in swimming history. Only Michael Phelps, who holds 28 medals, is ahead of her.
As swimming winds down, Ledecky still has one more chance to add to her collection of medals. She will compete in the 800m freestyle on Saturday.
And even though the Paris Olympics marks Ledecky’s fourth Olympics, she hopes to qualify for the games in Los Angeles in 2028.
“Yeah, I’ve been consistent these last few months and these last few years, in saying that I would love to compete in LA, and that hasn’t changed.”
Congratulations, Katie! You are the greatest of all time.
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