Katie Ledecky is the greatest all-time female Olympic swimmer. She is a world record-holder, and the most decorated swimmer in both the Olympics, and World Championships, plus she has the most medals in all international competitions combined. She also set NCAA records, and American records while competing for the Stanford University swim team.
Ledecky made her Olympic debut at the London 2012 Summer Olympics at the age of 15, and was the youngest American participant in that year’s olympics. She then shocked the world by winning the Gold Medal in the 800 meter freestyle. Four years later, Ledecky captured four more Gold Medals, and one Silver Medal. The five Gold Medals is the most ever by a female swimmer. She also has 15 Gold Medals in World Championships competitions, and eight Gold Medals in the Pan-Pacific Championships. Ledecky’s total medal count across all of those competitions is 34 (28 Gold Medals, 5 Silver Medals, and 1 Bronze Medal). Her 34 medals makes her the most decorated female swimmer.
After the 2016 Olympics, Ledecky spent two seasons competing at Stanford University. In the 2016/17 season, Ledecky set 12 NCAA records, and 9 American records as a freshman, and led Stanford to its first National Championship. In the 2017/18 season Ledecky set three more NCAA records and two more American records, while leading Stanford to back-to-back National Championships. Ledecky decided to forego her NCAA eligibility for her junior and senior seasons in order to accept professional endorsements, and compete professionally and internationally full-time.
Ledecky has earned her spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and will likely swim in four events. The Olympics will start in July after a one year postponement due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
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