Katie Ledecky After 800 Free Win “August 3 Is The Day I Won In 2012”

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Katie Ledecky made history tonight, becoming the first woman to ever win Olympic gold in the same event four times. Ledecky won the women’s 800 freestyle once again, after winning the event in the 2012 London, 2016 Rio, and 2020 Tokyo Games.

Ledecky spoke on her win, “August 3 is the day I won in 2012, and I didn’t want August 3 to be a day I didn’t (win).”

Behind Ledecky was Ariarne Titmus of Australia, who also won silver in the event in Tokyo. Titmus defended her own title earlier this week, winning the 400 in both Tokyo and Paris.

“I know how hard it is to defend a title,” Titmus said. “It’s so much harder to win it a second time, and to be on top for over 12 years is unbelievable. I said to her after the race she’s made me a better athlete. I totally respect what she has done in this sport, more than anyone else. She’s been winning this race since I was 11 years old, and I turn 24 next month. That is just remarkable. She’s unreal.”

Paige Madden of the US rounded out the podium swimming a best time of a 8:13.00. Madden spoke of her progression of the event. “Just a year ago I was trying to swim a time to get in a Pro-Series at a random meet in Virginia. So if you told me that a year ago, I’d have said you’re crazy. Maybe a month ago, it was sort of at the back of my mind. But it still feels so surreal.”

Canada’s Summer McIntosh won the women’s 200 IM in a new Olympic Record of a 2:06.56. That was the #3 performance all-time and less than half of a second off of the World Record. It also was McIntosh’s 3rd gold of the week.

“I’m always wanting more,” McIntosh said. “I’m never satisfied, and I think that’s one of my strengths. But, obviously, I’m very happy with the result!”

Finishing behind McIntosh was Kate Douglass of the US who won silver. Douglass already won individual gold this week swimming to the win in the 200 breast.

“It was really cool to get a taste of what winning an Olympic medal was like, and so this time around, I kind of hoped to maybe come home with more than one,” Douglass said. “And to be coming home right now with three medals, is just really awesome. I feel like a year ago, if you told me that I would have an individual gold and silver medal, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. I’m just really proud of myself.”

Also making history tonight for Canada was Ilya Kharun and Josh Liendo. Liendo won silver and Kharun won bronze in the men’s 100 fly, marking the 2nd time that Canada has ever had two swimmers on the same podium.

“It’s a lot of hard work and dedication,” Kharun said. “Me and Josh a couple days ago, spoke about how crazy it would be if me and him both got on the podium. I’m so glad we spoke it into existence. It’s such a great feeling.”