Katie Ledecky Wins Four Medals at Paris Olympics

Katie Ledecky has made a significant mark at the Paris Olympics, securing four medals, including golds in the 800- and 1500-meter freestyle events. She also earned a silver in the 4x200-meter freestyle and a bronze in the 400-meter freestyle. Despite her success, Ledecky expressed mixed feelings about taking a break from training, stating, "I've kind of been dreading this break," and indicating her eagerness to return to the pool soon. Looking ahead, Ledecky is setting her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where she aims to defend her title in the 800-meter freestyle, a race she has dominated for four consecutive Olympic Games. Acknowledging the challenges of maintaining Olympic-level fitness, she remarked, "It’s not easy," and emphasized her commitment to a year-by-year approach in her training and competition plans. With her recent achievements, Ledecky has solidified her status as the most-decorated female swimmer in U.S. Olympic history, boasting nine gold medals and a total of 14 medals. This accomplishment surpasses the previous records held by notable swimmers such as Dara Torres, Jenny Thompson, and Natalie Coughlin, each of whom had 12 medals in their careers. As she prepares for future challenges, Ledecky remains focused on her goals, demonstrating her dedication to the sport and her desire to continue competing at the highest level. The Associated Press contributed to this report.