With her exemplary swimming record and her unbelievable skillset, Katie Ledecky is an inspiration to all budding swimmers. Even before she got her driver’s license, she had two world records, four world championships, and one Olympic gold under her wing. And recently, she has made a special, yet unexpected, friend in the form of her fellow teammate, Erin Gemmell. But for Gemmell, it all began several years ago.

When she was merely 8 years old, Erin Gemmell already looked up to the legendary Katie Ledecky. In fact, in 2013, Erin decided she was going to be Ledecky, and donned the 3-time Olympian as a Halloween costume. Little did she know, that one day she would be head-to-head with the 26-year-old Olympic champion. However, that is exactly what happened.

How Katie Ledecky met her new best friend

When Erin Gemmell was 8, swimming was not her passion. However, when all her friends dec died to dress as their superheroes, Gemmell knew exactly who she would choose. Her superhero was a 16-year-old swimming prodigy, known to the world as Katie Ledecky. The 7-time Olympic champions burst on the swimming scene in 2012. In 2013, she managed to set world records at the FINA championships in the 800m and the 1500m freestyle. With a performance like this, it is no wonder that Erin Gemmell considered Katie Ledecky to be her hero. But how did the 8-year-old get to know about Ledecky?

For her training, Ledecky joined the Nation’s Capital Swim Club. At first, she was taught by Yuri Suguiyama. Although, when he left, Erin’s father, Bruce Gemmell took up the coaching of the rising star. There is no doubt that Erin Gemmell put Katie Ledecky on a pedestal to worship her. And while she still holds the swimmer in high regard, Erin herself has come a long way from the young girl she used to be. In the women’s 4×200-meter freestyle relay at the World Aquatic Championships, Erin Gemmell became a part of the team that would participate in the event.

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And guess who was on the team with her? Her idol, Ledecky herself. No doubt, Gemmell was excited at the prospect. According to Washington Post, before the event, she said, “I’ve been around her and have looked up to her for so long. I just think it’s so neat that we wound up swimming some of the same events … so we get that experience of competing together.” Her dedication to the sport and her progress in the game has impressed the 15-time World Champion herself.

Swimming has a new pair of BFFs

Erin Gemmell currently trains with her father, just like Katie Ledecky did in the past. The first time they swam together in a meet was at the U.S. International Team Trials in April. While Ledecky dominated the 200m freestyle, Gemmell was caught in the 7th place. After seeing the hard work Gemmell put in, Ledecky said, “I was bummed when I saw that. She’s such a hard worker, such a great person… She’s got a really bright future ahead of her.” Katie Ledecky was so impressed with the 17-year-old, that she offered to remove the 200m from her World championships lineup, hoping Gemmell would qualify.

In the final of the 200 free at U.S. Nationals, Gemmell finished in 1:56.14 and posted her best time. Katie Ledecky was elated at the achievement and was there to celebrate with the younger swimmer. At the 2023 World Championships. Erin got the chance to be on the same team as Katie. While they were practicing together for the relays, the 26-year-old was full of praises for Gemmell. She said, “It’s been so cool to be in a lane next to her numerous times now, and we’re on a relay together this summer.” It seems like together, the pair is ready to dominate the sport of swimming.

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