OLYMPIC GAMES | SWIMMING
Katie Ledecky equals Michael Phelps’ record of four Olympic golds in the same event
The U.S. swimmer made history, becoming the first woman to win four consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games.
The Olympic pool at La Défense Arena for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has become a historic venue, with American swimmer Katie Ledecky etching her name in Olympic history.
The women’s 800m freestyle was once again dominated by the queen of this competition, who did not give Ariarne Titmus a chance to contest the gold medal that Ledecky ended up winning for the fourth consecutive time in the Olympic Games.
With this victory, Ledecky equaled what is perhaps considered the greatest athlete in United States Olympic history: Michael Phelps, the “Shark” of Baltimor; Ledecky has managed to do the impossible and match his famous Olympic record.
Ledecky and Michael Phelps are now the only two swimmers in history to win four consecutive gold medals in the same Olympic event. Ledecky is the champion of the 800m freestyle, an event in which she has stood at the top of the podium since London 2012, continuing through Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and now Paris 2024.
Michael Phelps achieved a similar feat in the 200m individual medley, winning in Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016, contributing to his total of 23 gold medals over those four Olympic cycles.
After winning her fourth consecutive championship in the 800m freestyle, Ledecky has amassed a total of nine gold medals in her Olympic career, a mark previously held only by former USSR gymnast Larisa Latynina.
What’s more, Ledecky could soon be joined by another American athlete, Simone Biles. As of Saturday, Biles has reached seven Olympic gold medals and, with two events still to compete, she has the potential to equal both Ledecky and Latynina.