Ever since Katie Ledecky entered the Olympics in 2012, the speedster has been a solid fixture in the Grecian sporting event. Then only 15 years old, the swimming queen of Bethesda had clinched gold in the 800m event, toppling world champion Kate Ziegler. Over 12 years after her debut, Ledecky only continues to grow stronger and paddle faster.

Last week, Ledecky had to concede defeat to her Australian rival, Ariarne Titmus. That threw the spotlight on the American swimming goddess, with some doubting her speed this season. However, Ledecky brushed those doubts aside as she dominated the 1500m event, drawing focus on her future plans as well.

Katie Ledecky is hungry for more

When Katie Ledecky fell behind Ariarne Titmus by 3 seconds at the 400m freestyle, she got serious. As Titmus stamped herself as a repeat winner of gold, Ledecky set down to do the same. The most successful Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, patted his fellow swimmer on the back to soar to victory. And Ledecky did – she won the women’s 1500m freestyle gold on Wednesday, July 31. Besides notching a back-to-back win, Ledecky smashed her own Tokyo record by over seven seconds.

Katie Ledecky collected her eighth gold medal and twelfth Olympic medal overall. Maybe the swimming duchess just has a knack for the thousand-year-old games. And after becoming the first female swimmer to win gold medals at four different Olympics, Ledecky is not ready to let go so soon. Yet in a recent interview with ESPN, she admitted to the fickle nature of the highly intensive sport. “I’ve been consistent over these last few months and last few years in saying that I would love to compete in L.A. and that hasn’t changed. That could change. I mean, you never know.” 

Already 27 years old, she is one of the oldest yet best-performing swimmers in the world. And, once you get the hang of winning, can you let go easily? Ledecky clearly said that she might stick around for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. “I really just take it year by year at this point and I really haven’t thought much beyond this week in terms of what my fall is going to look like, what my next year is going to look like. But yeah, I don’t feel like I’m close to being finished in the sport yet.”

Katie Ledecky, known for her intense and focused demeanor, displayed a refreshing change this time. Unlike her usual reserved self, she let her emotions flow freely, celebrating with visible enthusiasm. Amidst the cheers, she splashed water and pumped her fist repeatedly as she walked across the deck. Her upbeat mood was also influenced by sharing accommodations with some of the sport’s legends.

Ledecky is an American inspiration

The 27-year-old Maryland native was already celebrated as the finest female distance swimmer. However, Katie Ledecky’s victory in the 1500m at the Paris Olympics bestowed a special accolade. This gold medal marked her eighth career Olympic title, tying her with American Jenny Thompson for the most women’s swimming golds of all time. But the achievements didn’t stop there—this medal also brought her total to 12 Olympic medals, equaling the record held by Thompson, Dara Torres, and Natalie Coughlin for the most ever by a female swimmer from any country.

So after achieving these remarkable feats, Ledecky gushed with pride about bunking with her predecessors. “I know those names, those people I’m up with. They’re people I looked up to when I first started swimming. So it’s an honor to be named among them. I’m grateful for them inspiring me. There are so many great swimmers that have helped me get to this moment.” And Katie Ledecky proudly declared that she would be ready to pass the torch to a dewy-eyed swimming aspirant someday. “I hope that some little girl out there is watching and will come along and get up there with all of us someday too.”

Evidently, the swimming duchess is not yet done with her medal-studded rule of Olympic swimming. Long way to go, Katie Ledecky!