No other swimmer has ever come close to what Michael Phelps has achieved, from his breakthrough performance at the Athens Olympics in 2004 to the 2016 Rio Summer Games. But Katie Ledecky, the 25-year-old swimmer, made it possible to terrify the most decorated Olympian of all time, Phelps.

Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky are the two greatest swimmers of all time. Both of them had an early start to their careers and rose to the pinnacle of their sport. Michael Phelps holds the most gold medals ever won by any swimmer or Olympic. Ledecky, on the other hand, made history for the most international gold medals in World Championships than any other female swimmer.

Phelps has a lot of experience holding up and posing with medals. In a photoshoot for Sports Illustrated, he helped Ledecky figure out how to pose with her medals. Katie had won a total of 5 medals at the Rio Olympics, four golds and one silver.

Comparing Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky

The two most dominant American swimmers have unavoidably been compared to each other. At Indianapolis PSS 2018, Ledecky finished 1500m freestyle with a time record of 15:20.48 in a 50m pool. Ledecky currently holds a world record for the same.

READ MORE: Katie Ledecky Once Stunned the World, Clocking the Same Time as Swimming Legend Michael Phelps

Compared to Ledecky, Phelps had a longer swim time in the 1500m freestyle. He finished 1500m freestyle with a 15:29.40 in FINA Swimming World Cup 2000-2001, in a 25m pool. So it would be true that Ledecky is a heavier 1500m freestyle swimmer than Phelps.

Katie Ledecky would have destroyed Phelps

Phelps and Ledecky worked out together at a training camp in 2016. Phelps was in awe of how well Ledecky trained. He said, “I’m very happy that she didn’t do the exact set with us that day because she would’ve destroyed me,“.

Michael Phelps left a legacy behind when he retired from swimming. At 15, Katie Ledecky stepped in and took her first gold home. In an interview, Phelps claimed, “She is hands down the best female swimmer that we’ve ever seen.“.

WATCH THIS STORY: Olympic Legends Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, and Katie Ledecky Hangout with Gold Medals Around their Neck

Phelps’ versatility has contributed to his career facing so many peaks. Do you think when Katie Ledecky finishes her career, she will be able to challenge Phelps’ reign? Tell us in the comments!