Katie Ledecky Highlights
- Height: 6 feet 0 inches
- Weight: 160 pounds
- She’s the winner of five Olympic gold medals and 14 World Championships gold medals.
- She’s the current world record holder in the women’s 400-, 800-, and 1500-meter freestyle (long course).
- She holds the fastest-ever times in the women’s 500-, 1000-, and 1650-yard freestyle events.
- In her international debut at the 2012 London Olympic Games (as a 15-year old), Ledecky unexpectedly won the gold medal in the women’s 800-meter freestyle.
- Four years later, she left Rio de Janeiro as the most decorated female athlete of the 2016 Olympic Games with four gold medals, one silver medal, and two world records.
- She’s won 31 medals (27 golds, three silvers, and one bronze) in major international competitions and broken fourteen world records.
- She’s earned the Female World Swimmer of the Year Award a record-breaking five times.
Here are a few quotes from Katie:
“I don’t compare myself to others. For me, it’s about not being afraid to set scary goals—goals that most people never even dream about achieving. Then I go out and chase them.”
“I think of every race as a sprint. Some races are longer sprints than others.”
“I maintain the same mindset I had at the 2012 Olympic Trials and Olympics, which is, whatever happens, happens.”
“I try to make the good days great and take something positive from the days I’m not feeling good, like focusing on my technique or something like that.”
“I felt so relaxed. It just felt effortless, and that’s why I was surprised when I learned I broke the world record.”
“You’re always racing against other swimmers, but I focus on what I’m doing and how I want to swim my races.”
“If I’m ahead in a race, it might mean I’m swimming well, but I pretty much focus on how fast I’m going, how quick I’m feeling, and block everything else out. I listen to the rhythm of the water, maintain the same stroke tempo, and remind myself how much I want to get my hand on the wall first.”