Team USA’s performance in the swimming pools at the Paris Olympics failed to impress Michael Phelps. The Flying Fish had expected more riveting contests from his successors in Paris La Défense Arena. Yet he had to wait weeks to watch an American male snag the individual gold in the swimming event. Rather, all he got to see from the commentator’s seat was American swimmers losing the race while others (especially the Australians) pacing ahead. He blasted at the situation, pointing at the lack of innovations in the technique. Meanwhile, Katie Ledecky noticed all those episodes. 

As captain of Team USA’s swimming squad at the Paris Olympics, she had to contend with the impact of those comments. Though Phelps was not directing criticism at her—in fact, he supported Ledecky’s supremacy as the most decorated female swimmer in Olympic history. And Ledecky shows no sign of stopping. Her latest announcement might be another testament to her resilience, countering any concerns Phelps may have voiced.

Katie Ledecky marks her attendance for the upcoming big show 

On October 26, the LA28games Instagram handle shared a post featuring multiple American athletes displaying the ‘LA’ sign with their fingers. Naturally, this lineup included potential candidates for the Olympics four years from now. Among stars like Jordan Chiles, Tara Davis-Woodhall, and others, Katie Ledecky appeared proudly showcasing the ‘LA’ sign. Does this suggest she’s preparing to return to the grandest stage at 31? It certainly seems possible. Her motivation to continue could spark plenty of discussion.

After the Paris Olympics, Katie Ledecky boasts of having 14 Olympic medals, including 9 golds. A staggering feat! At the World Aquatics Swimming Championships, the 27-year-old now has more individual gold medals than the swimming icon himself. With 16 individual golds, Ledecky sits at the top, surpassing Phelps, who holds second place. Yet, the Bethesda-born swimmer is pushing herself to embark on another four-year cycle of grueling preparation and intense competition. Is it to prove Phelps wrong at the next Olympics? She hasn’t said. But as captain of Team USA swimming, she once felt the need to step forward—and she did.

After Michael Phelps’s harsh attack on the current American swimmers, Katie Ledecky did not lose her mind. Rather, she promoted the achievement. In her interaction with Sports Seriously, the veteran swimmer said, “USA swimming topped the medal count again. Both in golds and total medals, which is fantastic. But yes, the world is getting faster, pushing all of us to train harder and smarter.” In the French capital, Ledecky snagged four medals, including her four-pit in the women’s 800m free event. Notably, in the men’s 200m IM, Phelps has a similar achievement. So, in LA, Katie would get a chance to go past her idol again, completing the five-pit. Thus she could prove Team USA’s dominance in the pool again, dismissing Phelps’s argument. Are these records brewing in her mind as the reason? 

Michael Phelps may be right, but his successor is not wrong 

In her statements, Katie Ledecky never attempted to disrespect Michael Phelps. All she tried to do was signify the data in the ongoing debate. And the data kept Team USA ahead of anyone in the Parisian swimming battle. Yet she narrated Phelps’s words uniquely. At the Paris Olympics, the US women swimmers performed better compared to their male colleagues. But a few results did not go as per expectations. The women swimmers had to lose the battle. On the matter, Ledecky said, “It’s great to race against the best of the best. It raises everyone’s level.” Meanwhile, she also lost her 400m free contest against Ariarne Titmus and Summer McIntosh. So would she aim for a revenge match in LA after four years? 

Katie Ledecky doesn’t want to see things through such a lens. After her historical feat of earning 14 medals in the Olympics, she said, “I don’t feel like I’m close to being finished in the sport yet.” All she wants is to measure her feet in the upcoming days. She wants to compete in the LA Olympics, not to send any message but to mark her attendance in her home Olympics as a swimmer. 

In an interaction with CBS News, Katie said, “I would love to swim in LA. I think an Olympics in the United States, it’s a unique opportunity. Not every athlete gets to compete in an Olympics on home soil.” That indicates her mindset. After serving the sport for more than a decade, that’s how Katie Ledecky rolls.