Expectations for the seven times Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky are tall heading into the Summer Olympics, but it’s not just her dominance in the pool that makes her an invaluable member of Team USA’s success.
Fellow Olympian Missy Franklin believes it’s Ledecky’s role outside the lines of the pool that makes her one of the greats.
Katie Ledecky of the United States reacts after the preliminary heat for the women’s 400-meter freestyle on the first day of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium on June 15, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Speaking with Fox News Digital before the paris games, Franklin spoke optimistically about Ledecky’s chances at this year’s Games.
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“I think she’s going to show up like she always does. Katie knows when to act. She’s been doing it since 2012.”
It will be Ledecky’s fourth Olympic Games and she is expected to solidify her spot during this weekend’s US Swimming Trials. But the rivals are already lining up. Australia’s Ariarne Titmus and Canada’s Summer McIntosh present the biggest threat in the women’s 400m freestyle.
Ledecky won gold in that event in 2016 but lost to Titmus in Tokyo. McIntosh then took over the world record in the women’s 400 meter freestyle, but Titmus claimed it later that year at the world championships.
Franklin agrees that the competition will be fierce, but that’s where Ledecky shines.
USA’s Katie Ledecky celebrates after winning the women’s 1500 meter freestyle final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Center on July 28, 2021. (Oli Bufanda/AFP via Getty Images)
“Katie enjoys the challenge,” Franklin said. “She loves competition. She loves having people who push her to be even better.”
Ledecky, 27, already has six individual Olympic gold medals, more than any swimmer in the history of the sport. Something else in Paris it would only complement his legendary career. But Franklin knows Ledecky’s role in Paris goes beyond the medal tally.
“I think Katie is an incredible role model,” Franklin said. “She is an incredible leader for Team USA. I think in addition to her accomplishments in the pool, she will also have incredible accomplishments outside of it when it comes to being that veteran of Team USA and really showing and “Lead the way with your experience or knowledge.”
Missy Franklin, left, of the United States celebrates with teammate Katie Ledecky after the women’s 200 meter freestyle semifinals of the 16th FINA World Championships at the Kazan Arena on August 4, 2015, in Kazan, Russia. (Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
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Ledecky got off to a strong start at the US Olympic swimming trials on Saturday. She finished the 400 meter freestyle with a time of 3:59.99. Her first-place finisher was more than five seconds ahead of second-place finisher Paige Madden.
The final is scheduled for Saturday night.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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