Katie Ledecky has rewritten the record book.
The American swim legend tied the record for most overall medals won by a female swimmer at the Olympics when she captured gold in the women’s 1,500 metres on Wednesday at Paris 2024. She did so in an Olympic-record time of 15 minutes, 30.02 seconds. She finished more than 10 seconds ahead of silver-medal winner Anastasiya Kirpichnikova of France.
Ledecky now shares the record of 12 overall medals with fellow Americans Dara Torres, Jenny Thompson and Natalie Coughlin. She can become the sole record holder Thursday assuming she competes in the 4×200-metre freestyle relay with the U.S. team.
The 1,500 gold was the second medal of these Games for Ledecky, who took bronze in the 400-metre freestyle on opening day.
Ledecky now has eight gold medals overall.
She was a heavy favourite in the 1,500, having not lost at a race at that distance in 14 years.
American swimmer Katie Ledecky made history at the Tokyo Olympics by equaling the Olympic record in the 1,500-meter freestyle event and winning a gold medal. Ledecky, who is known for her dominance in distance swimming, put on a commanding performance in the pool to secure her spot at the top of the podium.
The 1,500-meter freestyle is one of the longest events in swimming, requiring both endurance and speed. Ledecky, who has been a standout in this event for years, showed her strength and determination as she powered through the grueling race. She maintained a strong pace throughout the race, gradually pulling away from her competitors and ultimately touching the wall in a time that equaled the Olympic record.
Ledecky’s victory in the 1,500-meter freestyle adds to her already impressive collection of Olympic medals. The 24-year-old swimmer has established herself as one of the greatest distance swimmers of all time, with multiple world records and Olympic gold medals to her name. Her success in the pool is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and talent.
In addition to her individual accomplishments, Ledecky has also been a key member of the U.S. women’s swimming team, contributing to relay victories and team success at the Olympics. Her leadership and competitive spirit have inspired her teammates and fans around the world.
As Ledecky continues to make waves in the world of swimming, her performance in the 1,500-meter freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics will go down in history as another shining moment in her career. With her unmatched talent and drive to succeed, there is no doubt that she will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the pool for years to come.