Katie Ledecky secured her place in Olympic history on Wednesday by winning the 1,500m freestyle, earning her eighth career gold medal and setting an Olympic record time.
Swimming in the prime lane, Ledecky won the event by more than 10 seconds. This victory ties her with fellow American Jenny Thompson for the most gold medals won by a female swimmer. Ledecky’s 12 Olympic medals are the most ever by an American woman in any sport and tied for the most by a female swimmer.
Ledecky’s new Olympic-record time of 15:30.02 is the eighth-fastest mark ever recorded. She now holds the top 20 times for the 1,500m freestyle.
At 27, Ledecky is the oldest American to compete in the 1,500m free at the Olympics. She currently holds the world record for both the 800m and 1,500m freestyle events. Ledecky was the first winner of the 1,500m freestyle when it debuted at the Tokyo Olympics and has never lost an 800m or 1,500m freestyle race at a world championships or Olympics.
Ledecky also won bronze in the 400m freestyle on Saturday and will compete in the 800m freestyle heats on Friday.
