Katie Ledecky

Quick Facts

• Specialty: Freestyle

Biographical Information

Katie Ledecky is one of the most prominent swimmers in the world. She began swimming at the age of six in a league with her older brother. Her mother, who swam for the University of New Mexico, was a strong influence on her athletics. 

She graduated from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in 2015 and went on to earn her degree at Stanford University, majoring in psychology and minoring in political science. 

Outside of the pool, Ledecky spends time playing the piano, chess, and Scrabble. She is also a dedicated philanthropist, supporting charitable organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project, Shepherd's Table, Bikes for the World, and Catholic Charities. In March 2024, Simon and Schuster announced the release of her upcoming memoir entitled, Just Add Water.

Olympic Highlights

Katie Ledecky has been a standout swimmer internationally since she was a teenager. Her journey to becoming one of the most decorated swimmers in the world began with an outstanding performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games. In the 800m freestyle event, she set a record at just 15 years old.

During the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, she claimed the gold in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle events, as well as in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay. She also earned a silver medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay. 

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Ledecky added two gold medals and two silver medals to her collection. She won gold in the 800m freestyle and the inaugural 1,500m freestyle. She earned silver medals in the 400m freestyle and the 4x200m freestyle relay, as well. 

During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Ledecky defended her 1,500-meter freestyle title and secured her fourth consecutive gold in the 800-meter freestyle. Ledecky also competed in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, earning a silver medal with a combined time of 7:40.86.

World Championship Highlights

At the 2013 world championships, Ledecky won four gold medals in the 400m, 800m and 1,500m freestyle events, as well as the 4x200m freestyle relay. In 2015, she claimed five gold medals and dominated the 200m, 400m, 800m and 1,500m freestyle events, along with the 4x200m freestyle relay.

At the 2017 world championships, Ledecky claimed five gold medals in the 400m, 800m and 1,500m freestyle events, as well as the 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relays. She also earned a silver medal in the 200m freestyle. 

In 2019, Ledecky claimed one gold medal in the 800m freestyle and two silver medals in the 400m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay.

At the 2022 world championships, she earned four gold medals in the 400m, 800m and 1,500m freestyle events, as well as the 4x200m freestyle relay.

Ledecky also excelled at the 2023 World Aquatic Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, claiming two gold medals in the 800m and 1,500m freestyle events and two silver medals in the 400m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay.

U.S. Championship Highlights

Ledecky placed first in the 2014 U.S. national championships, the qualifying meet for the 2014 Pan Pacific and World Aquatic Championships. She went on to win five gold medals in the 2014 Pan Pacific in the 200m, 400m, 800m and 1,500m freestyle as well as the 4×200m freestyle.

She again won first place in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle events in the 2017 U.S. national championships, qualifying her for the 2017 World Championships.

Ledecky claimed three gold medals in the 400m, 800m and 1,500m events and one silver medal in the 200m freestyle in the 2023 USA Swimming Championships.

Early Career

Ledecky had a successful swimming career in high school, setting national records and training at the Nation’s Capital Swim Club. During her time at  Stanford University, she set 12 NCAA records and nine American records as a freshman. In 2018, she set three more NCAA records, leading Stanford to its second title.

Olympic Experience

• 4-time Olympian; 14-time Olympic medalist (9 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze)
  • Olympic Games Paris 2024, gold (1500m Freestyle - Women, 800m Freestyle - Women), silver (4 x 200m Freestyle Relay - Women), bronze (400m Freestyle - Women)
  • Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, gold (1500m Freestyle - Women, 800m Freestyle - Women), silver (4 x 200m Freestyle Relay - Women, 400m Freestyle - Women), 5th (200m Freestyle - Women)
  • Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, gold (200m Freestyle - Women, 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay - Women, 400m Freestyle - Women, 800m Freestyle - Women), silver (4 x 100m Freestyle Relay - Women)
  • Olympic Games London 2012, gold (800m Freestyle - Women)

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2023 – gold (1500m Freestyle - Women, 800m Freestyle - Women), silver (4 x 200m Freestyle Relay - Women, 400m Freestyle - Women)
• Years of participation: 1500m Freestyle - Women 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023; 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay - Women 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023; 400m Freestyle - Women 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023; 800m Freestyle - Women 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023; 200m Freestyle - Women 2015, 2017, 2019; 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay - Women 2017
• Medals: 26 (21 gold, 5 silver)
  • Gold – 2023 (1500m Freestyle - Women, 800m Freestyle - Women); 2022 (1500m Freestyle - Women, 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay - Women, 400m Freestyle - Women, 800m Freestyle - Women); 2019 (800m Freestyle - Women); 2017 (1500m Freestyle - Women, 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay - Women, 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay - Women, 400m Freestyle - Women, 800m Freestyle - Women); 2015 (1500m Freestyle - Women, 200m Freestyle - Women, 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay - Women, 400m Freestyle - Women, 800m Freestyle - Women); 2013 (1500m Freestyle - Women, 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay - Women, 400m Freestyle - Women, 800m Freestyle - Women)
  • Silver – 2023 (4 x 200m Freestyle Relay - Women, 400m Freestyle - Women); 2019 (4 x 200m Freestyle Relay - Women, 400m Freestyle - Women); 2017 (200m Freestyle - Women)