2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
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Katie Ledecky made history in more ways than one when she won a silver medal swimming the women’s 4×200 freestyle relay in Paris on Thursday.
With 13 Olympic medals across four Summer Games, Ledecky is now not only the most decorated female swimmer ever, but also the most decorated American woman in any sport. The 27-year-old distance specialist split 1:54.93 on the third leg, passing China for 2nd place and bringing the Americans just a few tenths shy of the Australians. The Aussies ultimately took gold in 7:38.08 ahead of the U.S. (7:40.86) and China (7:42.34).
Most Decorated Female Swimmers at the Olympics
- Katie Ledecky (USA) – 13 medals (eight gold, four silver, one bronze)
- Jenny Thompson (USA) – 12 medals (eight gold, three silver, one bronze)
- Emma McKeon (AUS) – 12 medals (six gold, two silver, four bronze)
- Dara Torres (USA) – 12 medals (four gold, four silver, four bronze)
- Natalie Coughlin (USA) – 12 medals (three gold, four silver, five bronze)
Ledecky came into the Paris Olympics with 10 career medals before capturing bronze in Saturday’s 400 free and gold in Wednesday’s 1500 free to tie Jenny Thompson, Emma McKeon, Dara Torres, and Natalie Coughlin in the all-time women’s swim rankings. McKeon won her 12th Olympic medal as a member of the Aussie women’s 4×100 free relay earlier this week, splitting 52.39 en route to the gold.
“I try not to think about history very much,” said Ledecky, who has already stated her intention to race at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. “I know those names, those people I’m up with. They’re people I looked up to when I first started swimming. So it’s an honor to be named among them. I’m grateful for them inspiring me. There are so many great swimmers that have helped me get to this moment.”
Ledecky will be aiming for her 14th career Olympic medal in the 800 free on Saturday. If she wins gold, as she is favored to do for the fourth time in a row, she will tie Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina for the most Olympic gold medals won by a woman in any sport.
McKeon could also have more medal opportunities in the mixed 4×100 medley relay on Saturday and women’s 4×100 medley relay on Sunday.
Ranking them by Individual medals is a bit interesting. Do not take this as me taking anything away from Thompsons or Torres. They were integral parts of the relay success with both having some of the fastest splits ever at the time.
Ledecy – Individual – 7G, 1S, 1B; Relay – 1G, 2S, 0B; Total – 8G, 3S, 1B
Coughlin – Individual – 2G, 0S, 3B; Relay – 1G, 4S, 2B; Total – 3G, 4S, 5B
McKeon – Individual – 2G, 0S, 2B; Relay – 4G, 2S, 2B; Total – 6G, 2S, 4B
Torres – Individual – 0G, 1S, 3B; Relay – 4G, 3S, 1B; Total – 4G, 4S, 4B
Thompson – Individual – 0G, 1S, 1B; Relay – 8G, 2S, 0B; Total – 8G, 3S, 1B
I just find it interesting how differently the table ranks… Read more »
Agree! Ledecky stands alone, with her medal weight largely “individual”. I prefer to focus the individual comparison as the swimming powers like USA and Australia have a distinct advantage over individuals from less dominant nations.
If you were part of the Aussie women’s 400 freestyle relay since 2000; you would have missed out at the Sydney Olympics but taken either a bronze (2008) or gold home until now. In the 400 medley, gold in 04/08/20), silver (’00/12/16). 2024 still to be decided.
For the USA in the 400 freestyle; gold in 2000 then silver (04/08/16/24) and bronze (12, 20). In the medley, gold (’00, 12, 16), silver (’04, 08,20).
Since the introduction of the 800 free relay… Read more »
Seems probable that she and Emma Mckeon both finish Paris with 14. Assuming mckeon is on mixed medley for at least prelims and that Australia medals which seems likely. Only thing stopping Ledecky from another medal is Covid.
I’m not sure Emma has earned her place on that relay heat, and I’m not sure the relay wins a medal anyway.
Katie Ledecky eyes #8 individual gold medal in the race that started it all.
https://youtu.be/6fc0Zw9TAiE?si=61KDnIT2TbrQQPM-
Is this individual medals or combined
Combined