Ledecky Makes History With 4th Straight 800-Meter Freestyle Gold

U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky celebrates after winning the final of the women's 800m freestyle swimming event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Nanterre, west of Paris, on Aug. 3, 2024. Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images

Katie Ledecky, the undisputed queen of distance swimming, has once again claimed the 800-meter freestyle gold medal. Her victory marks an unprecedented fourth consecutive Olympic triumph in the event.

The race was a thrilling showdown between Ledecky and Australia’s Ariarne Titmus. The two swimmers pushed each other to the limit, with both under world record pace in the early stages. While Ledecky ultimately prevailed, Titmus’s performance was nothing short of exceptional. Ledecky finished at 8:11.04 setting a new record, and Titmus finished at 8:12.29.

Paige Madden of the United States claimed the bronze medal, rounding out a strong showing for the American team.

With this victory, Ledecky has tied Larisa Latynina for the most Olympic gold medals by a female athlete in history. Ledecky holds an astonishing 16 of the top 16 fastest 800 freestyle times in history, with 19 of the top 20 and 24 of the top 25. This dominance was only briefly challenged earlier this year when Canadian sensation Summer McIntosh defeated her, ending a 13-year winning streak in 800-meter freestyle finals. McIntosh, who holds the 17th fastest time, opted not to compete in the event in Paris.

With this victory, Ledecky adds another gold to her Olympic haul, finishing the Games with two golds, a silver, and a bronze. Her dominance in the pool is unparalleled, and her legacy as one of the greatest swimmers continues to grow.

With this victory, Ledecky extended her record as the most decorated female Olympian in swimming. She now boasts an impressive tally of nine gold and 14 overall medals.

Gold medalist Katie Ledecky of Team USA poses with the U.S. flag following the medal ceremony for the Women's 1500m Freestyle on day five of the Olympic Games, in Nanterre, France, on July 31, 2024. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Who Is Katie Ledecky?

Her Olympic journey began at the age of 15 during the 2012 London Games, where she made an unforgettable debut by clinching the gold medal in the 800-meter freestyle. This victory was just the beginning of her remarkable rise to prominence, as she continued to dominate in events ranging from 200 meters to 1,500 meters.

Throughout her career, Ledecky has competed in four Olympic Games worldwide. After her initial success in London, she participated in the 2016 Rio Games, securing four gold medals and one silver medal. She continued her winning streak at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she earned two golds and two silvers. The Paris 2024 Games marked her fourth Olympic appearance, further cementing her status as an Olympic legend.

Ledecky’s swimming journey began at age six, inspired by her mother, a competitive college swimmer. She developed her skills with the Palisades Porpoises swim team until 2011, shortly before capturing her first Olympic gold.

During her high school years, Ledecky broke several records, eventually earning a college scholarship to further her swimming career at Stanford University. From 2016 to 2018, she won eight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles, set 15 NCAA records, and led her team to consecutive NCAA and Pac-12 Conference Team Championships.

Ledecky shows no signs of slowing down and has hinted at the possibility of competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, expressing interest in participating in a home Games.