Katie Ledecky

Who is Katie Ledecky?

Kathleen Genevieve Ledecky is an American distance swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, and world record holder. She is the current world record holder in the 800- and 1500-meter freestyle and American record holder in the 400-meter freestyle. She also owns the fastest-ever swims in the 500- and 1650-yard freestyles.

In her international debut at the 2012 Summer Olympics as a 15-year old, Ledecky won the gold in the 800-meter freestyle in what was the second-fastest performance ever. The following year, Ledecky won four golds at the 2013 World Aquatics Championships, including individual titles in the 400-, 800-, and 1500-meter freestyle. At that meet, she broke the world record in the 800- and 1500-meter freestyle, and swam the second-fastest swim ever in the 400-meter freestyle.

Ledecky's success has earned her Swimming World's World Swimmer of the Year and the American Swimmer of the Year award in 2013, and the FINA Swimmer of the Year Award in 2013.