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Ledecky adds to own Olympic record
Katie Ledecky achieved yet another milestone at the Paris Olympics, cementing her status in swimming history as she became the only second swimmer ever to win an event at four consecutive Summer Games. On Saturday night, she secured her victory in the 800-meter freestyle, successfully fending off challenges from Australia’s Ariarne Titmus.
This incredible achievement ties Ledecky with the legendary Michael Phelps, who famously won gold in the 200-meter individual medley across four Olympiads: Athens, Beijing, London, and Rio de Janeiro.
Ledecky first burst onto the Olympic scene as a remarkable 15-year-old when she clinched gold in the 800-meter freestyle at the 2012 London Games. Since that debut, she has consistently dominated this demanding event, reinforcing her reputation as one of the top female swimmers in history.
With this latest victory, Ledecky not only secured her second gold medal in Paris but also achieved the prestigious milestone of winning her ninth Olympic gold medal overall. This places her among an elite group of Olympians, as she becomes the sixth athlete to reach this remarkable count, now tied with iconic figures such as swimmer Mark Spitz, track star Carl Lewis, Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, and Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi.
The only individual who surpasses Ledecky is Michael Phelps, who holds the record with an astonishing 23 gold medals. In her race, Ledecky completed the 800 meters with a time of 8 minutes, 11.04 seconds, improving upon her previous winning time from the Tokyo Games. Titmus, known for her fierce competition, nicknamed the “Terminator,” closely followed Ledecky throughout the race but ultimately settled for silver with a time of 8:12.29. The bronze medal was awarded to American swimmer Paige Madden, who finished in 8:13.00.
2024 Summer Olympics in Paris
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