Katie Ledecky Makes History with Ninth Gold Medal at Paris 2024
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A dozen years ago to the day, Katie Ledecky won her first Olympic gold medal. She was 15 years old, not yet a sophomore in high school, and was so far off the radar that night that reporters were not even paying attention to the women’s 800, instead interviewing Michael Phelps after what he called at the time his final Olympic race.
After her win that night, Ledecky was wide-eyed and dripping with pool water as she met with the press.
So much has changed since then.
At the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Ledecky won her ninth gold medal — also in the 800 freestyle — and more deeply etched her name into the Olympic annals. She is now the most decorated female Olympian from the United States.
Nine Olympic gold medals also tie her with Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina for most Olympic gold medals won by a woman. Latynina won nine golds between 1956-1964.
In winning the 800 at the 2024 Games, Ledecky also became the seventh Olympian to win four consecutive gold medals in the same event — and second swimmer after Phelps (who won the 200 IM in four consecutive Olympiads).
Not one to chase history, Ledecky admitted that one record will stick with her.
