Fans of the red, white, and blue have been treated to exceptional performances by two of the greatest swimmers in Olympic history—Katie Ledecky and Michael Phelps! And in Paris, Katie Ledecky did shine in the pool. Last month, she secured a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the women’s 1,500-meter freestyle, bringing her Olympic gold count to eight and her total medal count to an impressive 14 in Olympic medals. Through her amazing achievements, Ledecky has become one of the stars to be often compared to Michael Phelps, who has won an amazing 23 gold medals and is the most honored Olympian ever!

While Phelps did a lot to set a bar for swimming, Katie Ledecky is showing that she’s not just following in his footsteps, but she is carving out her path to greatness too! The latest edition of Sports Illustrated unveiled their lineup of “The 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports,” and guess who made it to the list? That’s right. Katie did it all the way to the top! Known as the reigning champion of long-distance swimming disciplines and holding world records to her name, she recently clinched gold medals in both the 800 and 1500-meter freestyle races.

She has her eyes on participating in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028; at that time she will be 31 years old—quite a goal in a field that typically leans towards athletes! Additionally, this is the first time in 16 years that an American swimmer other than Phelps has been recognized in Sports Illustrated’s rankings.

In 2008, Phelps received the Sportsman of the Year award from Sports Illustrated for his performance at the Beijing Olympics, where he clinched eight gold medals and set world records in seven events. Dominating every competition he participated in and solidifying his reputation as a swimming icon. Forward to today, Ledecky’s remarkable performances on the world stage offer her a shot at receiving acclaim, and she frequently attributes her achievements to the motivation she derives from Phelps.

Katie Ledecky’s aspirations beyond Phelps’s shadow

Between 2000 and 2016, Michael Phelps ruled the swimming world without a doubt. He shined in five Olympic Games, beginning with his show in Athens in 2004 and ending with a performance in Rio in 2016. While Phelps was ending his outstanding career, Ledecky started to carve her own path.

At the age of 15, during the 2012 London Olympics, she initially caught everyone’s eye as the standout distance swimmer. From that point, Ledecky has held onto her spot in long-distance freestyle competitions. Even though she and Phelps never directly competed for medals, both have left marks on U.S. history through their accomplishments. Katie often expresses her gratitude for Phelps for helping her reach her goals and giving her motivation.

Katie Ledecky has always looked up to Michael Phelps, saying, “Michael Phelps is the greatest of all time in our sport, and he’s someone that a lot of young swimmers, including myself, look up to. He was the top athlete at all the Olympic Games I grew up watching on television.” Sharing a connection with Phelps, who hails from Maryland like her, Ledecky expressed, “He was competing at a level I never thought I’d make it to. He inspired me.”

While she appreciates the comparisons to Phelps as reporters call her “the female Michael Phelps,” she also reflects, “I don’t think too much of them. Certainly, I do want to pave my own way, and I’m focused on my own goals.” For Ledecky, who continues to dominate distance swimming and aims for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, it’s clear that while Phelps’s legacy looms large, she’s determined to carve out her own path and inspire the next generation of swimmers.