LEGENDecky Wins 9th Gold Ever, T-2nd Most Golds All-Time Sitting Only Behind Phelps

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

WOMEN’S 800 FREESTYLE – FINAL

  1. Katie Ledecky (United States) – 8:11.04
  2. Ariarne Titmus (Australia) – 8:12.29
  3. Paige Madden (United States) – 8:13.00
  4. Simona Quadarella (Italy) – 8:14.55
  5. Isabel Gose (Germany) – 8:17.82
  6. Lani Pallister (Australia) – 8:21.09
  7. Anastasiia Kirpichnikova (France) – 8:22.80
  8. Erika Fairweather (New Zealand) – 8:23.27

Katie Ledecky won her 9th gold medal ever, swimming to a win in the 800 freestyle. That makes her tied for the 2nd most gold medals all-time of both male and females.  She also became the first woman to win four gold medals in the same event.

Ledecky already made history this week, winning her 8th gold medal of her career. That made her #1 in US women’s Olympic history in any sport.

Her win tonight ties her with four other athletes who have nine Olympic golds as well. Michael Phelps sits at the top with 23 gold medals all-time. Ledecky sits at #3 all-time once adding in all medals as she has four silver medals and one bronze, bringing her total to 14 medals.

Ledecky is in her 4th Olympic Games here in Paris. The 800 freestyle was her final event of the meet and she notably has won the event in all four Games since her debut in London 2012. No other woman has won gold in an event in four Olympic Games.

Ledecky Gold Medal Tally

Olympics Event Medal
2012 London 800 Free Gold
2016 Rio 200 Free Gold
2016 Rio 400 Free Gold
2016 Rio 800 Free Gold
2016 Rio 4×200 Free Relay Gold
2020 Tokyo 800 Free Gold
2020 Tokyo 1500 Free Gold
2024 Paris 800 Free Gold
2024 Paris 1500 Free Gold

OLYMPIC ATHLETES WITH 8 OR MORE GOLD MEDALS

NO. ATHLETE NATION SPORT YEARS GAMES GENDER GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL
1 Michael Phelps United States Swimming 2004–2016 Summer M 23 3 2 28
2 Larisa Latynina Soviet Union Gymnastics 1956–1964 Summer F 9 5 4 18
3 Katie Ledecky United States Swimming 2012-2024 Summer F 9 4 1 14
4 Paavo Nurmi Finland Athletics 1920–1928 Summer M 9 3 0 12
5 Mark Spitz United States Swimming 1968–1972 Summer M 9 1 1 11
6 Carl Lewis United States Athletics 1984–1996 Summer M 9 1 0 10
7 Marit Bjørgen Norway Cross-country skiing 2002–2018 Winter F 8 4 3 15
8 Ole Einar Bjørndalen Norway Biathlon 1998–2014 Winter M 8 4 1 13
9 Bjørn Dæhlie Norway Cross-country skiing 1992–1998 Winter M 8 4 0 12
10 Birgit Fischer East Germany/Germany Canoeing 1980-2004 Summer F 8 4 0 12
11 Sawao Kato Japan Gymnastics 1968–1976 Summer M 8 3 1 12
12 Jenny Thompson United States Swimming 1992–2004 Summer F 8 3 1 12
13 Matt Biondi United States Swimming 1984–1992 Summer M 8 2 1 11
14 Usain Bolt Jamaica Athletics 2008–2016 Summer M 8 0 0 8
15 Ray Ewry United States Athletics 1900–1908 Summer M 8 0 0 8
16 Caeleb Dressel United States Swimming 2016-2024 Summer M 8 0 0 8

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Soapy
3 months ago

Legendecky? More like Legen-Dary!

Fraser Thorpe
3 months ago

As much as I’d have loved Titmus to get that unexpected gold, I’m glad KD gets the 4th consecutive win. Her legacy deserves it.

She’s held this level for her entire career, never dipped in quality, never skipped events, never took extended breaks (not that there’s anything wrong with doing that) – but this 4peat means the record books reflect her career.

GOAT 🐐

Relax
3 months ago

Really cool moment if you read the lips of Katie and Ariarne, https://x.com/NBCOlympics/status/1819821683466772979

“you’re amazing”
“you make me better”

Weinstein-Madden-Ledecky-Gemmell
3 months ago

Congratulations Katie!

Legendary status cemented.

James
3 months ago

I wish that they had the Women’s 1500 in 2012 and 2016. Ledecky would then probably have two more gold medals. Especially in 2016 would have been an easy win for her

Mr Piano
Reply to  James
3 months ago

I doubt she’d have beaten Sjostrom in the 200 if she swam the 1500 before it, so many just one more gold.

Pau Hana
3 months ago

No other woman has won gold in an event in four Olympic Games.

Japanese wrestler Kaori Icho won gold in 4 consecutive Olympics, but I guess one could argue that since her last one was in a different weight class it was not the same event.

Carly
3 months ago

My 3 year old keeps talking about “Katie the ducky!” 😂

Sqimgod
3 months ago

Ledecky should do the 10km open water, seems like a free medal for her

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

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