During a quick interview today at the 2014 Winter Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina Katie Ledecky was questioned on her intentions on staying with her commitment to the Stanford Cardinal for the 2015-2016 season, or if she would defer that decision until after the 2016 Olympic Games.
She said it was something that was “still in the works” and “something she is considering” but did not provide any further comment on the subject, also stating her focus was currently on short course yards and long course meters.
Ledecky also discussed her decision to swim Winter Nationals rather than the Short Course World Championships. She says the meet was just closer to her home town and a meet her team has been attending for years.
When asked about her goals in the 1650 free after such a stellar performance last year at this exact meet, she states she has “no trouble with the last day of the meet” and she has to “wait to see what happens and how the meet plays out.”
Ledecky will be swimming 6 events at this National meet: 100 free, 200 free, 500 free, 1650, 200 IM and 400 IM, but states the IM’s are not her main focus and will most likely only be preliminary swims.
Please listen to 99% of people… Defer for a year. Don’t mess with success and a winning formula with Bruce. (Then change schools……..
#stanfordwon’tdoenufwork4distancefr)
Cont… If Katie defers until 2016-2017 then she may not be eligible to turn pro until 2018 or beyond if she swims more than 2 college seasons. But maybe she doesn’t care about that at all and just stays in school. The money that is made on the Fina World cup for example while lucrative is offset with an hellacious travel schedule, event schedule, etc…so that may be a short sighted career. Endorsement money is much easier pickings. Will it still be there in 2 more olympic cycles? Who is to say? Does Katie even care? Maybe she is not motivated by money and if so that would be a great thing. Earning money through sporting and earning money through… Read more »
It seems like either way Katie isn’t motivated by money or she would turn pro immediately. Very few people have the opportunity to make money from seimming and
Guess I’m the only one who wants to see her swim with Simone. Please GO!
I would never presume to have better insight into the issue than katie, because no one knows her motivations and aspirations better than she does. But man, if she decides to hold onto her eligibility through the Olympics, she will be leaving a whole lot of money on the table. That would be tough for me to do
One piece of advice to Ledecky, DON’T GO AND COMPETE IN COLLEGE. Just look at Missy Franklin and those Swimmers who graduated from college swimming and became champions after.
Don’t know her academic strengths , but if it is in the maths/science/physics world then immersion in a top environment is best ASAP. Professional Scientists inform me that all great discoveries are made by 23years of age & the best have already graduated by 18.
But if it is law / judgement/literature etc then years are wasted going to university too young .( I like to think those gap year kids slumped around various world tourist venues are in fact in deep thought & not in a stupor) .
As to swimming . Katie could do well anywhere. However there are some looming threats eg Belmonte Sharon VR . There is more scope for mega distance training improvements in older… Read more »
Go pro and don’t change…..