Katie Ledecky broke her own world record in the women’s 800-meter freestyle during the TYR Pro Swim Series on May 3. The 14-time Olympic medalist finished .67 seconds ahead of her previous record set at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Ledecky expressed her excitement after the event in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., stating, “It’s been so many years in the making to do it tonight.” She now holds the top ten performances of all time in the event.
At the same event, Ledecky also set the second-fastest time in world history for the women’s 1500-meter freestyle, clocking in at 15:24.51 seconds. Reflecting on her success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she earned two gold medals, a silver, and a bronze, Ledecky emphasized the teamwork and mentorship within the team.
Ledecky credited the supportive crowd and her fellow American swimmer Gretchen Walsh for inspiring her performance. She highlighted the importance of staying focused during the race and noted the excitement building up as she approached the finish line. Ledecky’s dedication to her training and her passion for the sport were evident in her outstanding achievements.
“And when the final score came in, we realized we had won the gold medal as part of Team USA,” she mentioned. “By then, all the competition was over, and everyone was thrilled and in a celebratory spirit, so it was a wonderful experience to share that moment with my teammates.”Find the original article on People’s website.
