2021 Tokyo Olympics: who is 15-year old Olympian swimmer Katie Grimes?

Katie Grimes is the youngest swimmer on the American swim team. She will participate in her first Olympic games in Tokyo 2021 at the age of just 15, just as Katie Ledecky did in London 2012.

Katie Grimes won her place on the national team for the 800m race in the American swim trials, stopping the clock in a time of 8:20.36. This mark made her the third swimmer under 15 with the best time in history.

What events will Katie Grimes compete in?

Katie Grimes will compete in the 800m free event. She will participate in the fourth heat, along with compatriot Ledecky. The young American swimmer will swim in lane six, while the favorite, Ledecky, will swim in lane 4.

This is the only event in which Grimes will compete as she targets a place in the final for her first Olympic medal.

The swimmers who will compete in the 800m race are:

Who is the youngest swimmer in the US to get a medal?

The youngest swimmer in US history was Donna Elizabeth de Varona. She won the gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics at 13 years old. Ledecky was also one of the youngest in history when she won her first gold medal in London 2012 at 15 years old. Much like Ledecky, Grimes now looks to follow in their swimstrokes.

Is there a minimum age to participate in the Games?

There is no minimum age to participate in the Olympic Games, although in some disciplines, such as gymnastics, athletes have to be at least 16 years old. In boxing, the minimum age is 18.

In swimming there is no minimum age to participate. Katie Grimes certainly deserves to be in Tokyo 2020 for her record in the pool despite her young age.