Katie Ledecky’s remarkable run at the 2024 Paris Olympics continued on Wednesday as she secured her eighth Olympic gold medal, setting a new Olympic record in the women’s 1500m freestyle with a time of 15:30.02. The victory not only adds to Ledecky’s storied career but also cements her place among the greatest swimmers in history.
Ledecky, widely regarded as the dominant force in long-distance swimming, entered the 1500m freestyle as the overwhelming favorite. The 27-year-old American owns the 19 fastest times in the event’s history and had previously won the 1500m in its Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020. True to form, Ledecky finished the race ten seconds ahead of the next competitor, underscoring her supremacy in the event.
Katie Ledecky
With this win, Ledecky ties Jenny Thompson for the most Olympic gold medals by an American woman and joins Thompson, Natalie Coughlin, and Dara Torres as the U.S. women with the most Olympic medals all-time (12). Reflecting on her achievement, Ledecky expressed gratitude for the legends who inspired her. “I try not to think about history very much,” she said. “I know those names, those people I’m up with. They’re people I looked up to when I first started swimming. So it’s an honor to be named among them. I’m grateful for them inspiring me. There are so many great swimmers that have helped me get to this moment.”
As the Paris Games progress, Ledecky still has opportunities to add to her medal haul, further solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest Olympians of all time.
Read Also :
Supervivientes All Stars Concludes with Marta Peñate’s Triumph
Olympic Football : Argentina’s Rollercoaster Start at Paris 2024
