Katie Ledecky, one of the most decorated female swimmers of all time, shares a special bond with gymnastics icon Simone Biles. The Olympic swimming legend has shown her admiration for the American gymnast on multiple occasions. After winning her tenth medal at the Tokyo Olympics, the swimmer gave an interview to Access Hollywood where she reminisced about her bond with Simone Biles.

“I have heard that you and Simone Biles have gotten pretty close over the years.”, the interviewer asked Ledecky. He then asked the Olympic swimmer if she would speak about the “connection”?she shared with Simone Biles.?“I think we both just really respect each other,” said the Olympic icon. Ledecky emphasized that it “amazed”?her to see what Biles has accomplished on and off the “gym floor.”

A bond based on mutual respect

During the interview, Ledecky also said she would like to?“give her (Simone Biles) a big hug,” when she meets Biles at one of the team USA functions. The seven-time Olympic gold medalist revealed that despite being part of the US Olympics team, she and Biles didn’t get a chance to meet during the games in Tokyo.

READ MORE: ?I Will Not Be Doing That Again?: Simone Biles Once Confessed She Hates the Workout Katie Ledecky Has Involved in Her Routine

“I haven’t seen her here in Tokyo because I think they’re not staying in the village.” Ledecky told Access Hollywood. While Ledecky didn’t say it, Simone Biles pulling out mid-way through the Toky Olympics could’ve also played a part in the two athletes not crossing paths during the games.

Katie Ledecky lauded Biles for her courage

Shortly after the games, Katie Ledecky praised the Olympics gymnastics legend for her decision to pull out of the competition. While Biles represented Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, she decided to stop competing after participating in a few events due to mental health reasons. In an interview with US Weekly, Ledecky praised Biles.

Ledecky and Biles have reached the pinnacle of their respective sports. Ledecky has pushed her medal tally to double digits with seven Olympic golds and three silvers. Meanwhile, Simone Biles has won seven Olympic medals after participating in just two Olympic Games. For the ten-time Olympic medalist, Biles’s actions could help change society’s view of athletes being invincible. She also hoped the incident would help shape future conversations about the mental and physical health of elite athletes.

Watch this story? – Here?s how Katie Ledecky?s remarkable swimming technique propelled her to the top of the world record charts

What’s your take on Ledecky and Biles’s friendship? Let us know in the comments.?