NANTERRE, France — American swimming star Katie Ledecky cruised to victory in an event that’s become synonymous with her name, earning her first Olympic gold medal of the Paris Games in the women’s 1500-meter freestyle Wednesday.
Ledecky set an Olympic record with a time of 15:30.02.
She has not lost this race in more than 14 years, and she owns the 20 fastest times in world history in the event. It is, for all intents and purposes, only an actual race for silver. France’s Anastasiia Kirpichnikova earned it in 15:40.35, while Germany’s Isabel Gose won bronze in 15:41.16.
Simply the greatest. 🙌
Katie Ledecky adds another gold medal to her legendary career achievements.#ParisOlympics | 📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/skbxzj1CAj
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 31, 2024
The Olympic gold medal is Ledecky’s eighth, which ties Jenny Thompson for the most for an American woman. Many would already consider Ledecky the greatest swimmer in the sport’s history, but she’s also making a strong case for the greatest female Olympic athlete ever.
Ledecky needs one more gold to tie Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina for the most gold medals for any female Olympian.
Ledecky, 27, has won 12 Olympic medals over four Games, and she’ll have a chance to add to…
