Katie Ledecky takes gold in historic fourth straight 800m freestyle win
Katie Ledecky of Team United States and Ariarne Titmus of Team Australia compete in the Womens 800m Freestyle Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Paris La Defense Arena on August 03, 2024 in Nanterre, France. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/
Katie Ledecky made Olympic history Saturday when she became the first woman to win four Olympic medals in the same event in any sport.
She won her second gold medal in Paris in the 800-meter freestyle.
Ledecky went faster than her winning time in Tokyo, touching in 8 minutes, 11.04 seconds. Titmus, the Australian star known as the "Terminator," was right on her shoulder nearly the entire race, but Ledecky pulled away in the final 100.
Titmus, who beat Ledecky in the 400 freestyle, settled for silver at 8:12.29. The bronze went to another American, Paige Madden at 8:13.00.
Phelps had been the only swimmer to win the same event at four straight games, taking gold in the 200 individual medley at Athens, Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro.
Now he's got company.
How many Olympic medals does Katie Ledecky have?
As of Saturday, August 3, 2024, Katie Ledecky has 14 Olympic medals, nine of which are gold.
Record-breaking swimmer
Ledecky made her Olympic debut during the 2012 London Games, according to the Olympics website.
She won her first gold medal in the 800-meter freestyle and defeated the world champion, Kate Ziegler.
Ledecky would go on to win world titles and break records in the 400 and 800 freestyle and became one of the second-most decorated athletes behind swimming legend Michael Phelps.
She is currently the world record holder for the women’s 800-meter freestyle and the 1500-meter freestyle.
This story was reported from Detroit. The Associated Press and FOX Television Stations’ Catherine Stoddard contributed.