Topline
Swimmer Katie Ledecky extended her record as the most-decorated U.S. female Olympian—and the second-most decorated U.S. Olympian of all time, behind Michael Phelps—after she won gold in the 800-meter freestyle final Saturday afternoon, marking her 14th Olympic medal.
Ledecky has won three medals in the 2024 Olympics so far. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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Key Facts
Ledecky, who is now the first woman in history to win four Olympic gold medals in the same event in any sport, won the race in eight minutes and 11 seconds.
The win provides Ledecky with her 14th Olympic medal, extending her lead on swimmers Natalie Coughlin, Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres—all tied with 12 medals—as the most decorated U.S. female Olympian.
Ledecky is the second most-decorated U.S. Olympian behind Michael Phelps, who owns the all-time record for any athlete of any country with 28 medals.
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Tangent
The U.S. has the most medals in the 2024 Olympics so far with 61 total, exceeding France’s 41 medals and China’s 37. However, China leads the competition in gold medals with 16 secured so far—two more than the U.S.
Key Background
Ledecky avenged her 400-meter freestyle final loss to Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus, who placed second behind Ledecky, just a second behind. Ledecky, 27, said after her 1500-meter freestyle win this week she “ would love to” compete in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, though she noted she is taking her decision year by year. Ledecky is regarded as the most dominant female swimmer of all time and is now in a nine-way tie for most medals so far at the Paris Olympics with her four medals.
Further Reading
Katie Ledecky Becomes Most Decorated US Female Olympian With 13th Medal (Forbes)
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