Katie Ledecky

Biography

Ledecky stunned the Olympics at 15, winning the 800m freestyle in London. Across four Games she has collected nine gold medals, and her world records in the 800m and 1500m freestyle have stood largely unchallenged for a decade.

American swimmer whose margin of victory in distance freestyle is often measured in seconds, not strokes.

Known for

Dominating distance freestyle and becoming the most decorated female swimmer in Olympic history.

Notable works & defining projects

• London 2012 breakout gold
• Rio 2016 four-gold Games
• Paris 2024 distance double

Notable achievements

• Most decorated female swimmer in Olympic history, with nine gold medals across four Games
• Has held the world records in the 800m and 1500m freestyle since 2013-14
• Won the 800m freestyle at four consecutive Olympics (2012-2024), a first for a woman swimmer

Timeline

1. 2012Won Olympic gold in the 800m freestyle at age 15
2. 2016Won four golds and a silver at the Rio Olympics
3. 2024Took her Olympic gold tally to nine in Paris

Did you know?

• She graduated from Stanford University with a degree in psychology
• Her uncle Jon Ledecky is a co-owner of the NHL's New York Islanders