USA's Katie Ledecky wins gold in 1,500-meter freestyle, claiming record-tying 12th Olympic medal in women's swimming
Katie Ledecky won her first gold medal at the Paris Olympics, claiming a record-tying 12th Olympic medal in women's swimming.
American swimming icon Katie Ledecky added another feather to her illustrious cap on Wednesday, clinching her inaugural gold medal at the Paris Olympics in the women's 1,500-meter freestyle event. With this triumph, Ledecky now boasts a record-tying 12th Olympic medal in women's swimming, cementing her legacy in the sport.
As the overwhelming favorite to dominate this event, Ledecky did not disappoint, effortlessly gliding to victory and touching the wall far ahead of her rivals. Her winning time of 15:30.02 not only secured the gold medal but also set a new Olympic record, surpassing her previous mark of 15:35.35 set at the Tokyo Games.
The 27-year-old swimming sensation finished a staggering 10 seconds ahead of silver medalist Anastasiia Kirpichnikova of France, while Germany's Isabel Gose rounded out the podium with a bronze medal.
With this gold medal, Ledecky now finds herself in elite company, sharing the record for the most Olympic gold medals in women's swimming with the legendary Jenny Thompson. Both swimming powerhouses now hold an identical medal tally of eight golds, three silvers, and one bronze.
Additionally, Ledecky joins an exclusive club of female swimmers with 12 total Olympic medals, including Americans Dara Torres and Natalie Coughlin, and Australian Emma McKeon.
Ledecky's quest for more Olympic glory continues as she dives into the 800-meter freestyle event on Friday, and she is also expected to be a pivotal part of the 4x200-meter freestyle relay team, with the final scheduled for Thursday.
The day witnessed more swimming excellence as Sweden's Sarah Sjöström struck gold in the 100-meter freestyle, followed by Torri Huske of the USA with silver, and Hong Kong's Siobhan Haughey narrowly edging out Australia's Mollie O'Callaghan for the bronze.
Ledecky's triumph comes hot on the heels of the U.S. men's team's gold medal performance in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay. This adds to Ledecky's bronze medal in the women's 400-meter freestyle on Saturday, marking a highly successful start to her Olympic campaign in Paris.
As the overwhelming favorite to dominate this event, Ledecky did not disappoint, effortlessly gliding to victory and touching the wall far ahead of her rivals. Her winning time of 15:30.02 not only secured the gold medal but also set a new Olympic record, surpassing her previous mark of 15:35.35 set at the Tokyo Games.
The 27-year-old swimming sensation finished a staggering 10 seconds ahead of silver medalist Anastasiia Kirpichnikova of France, while Germany's Isabel Gose rounded out the podium with a bronze medal.
With this gold medal, Ledecky now finds herself in elite company, sharing the record for the most Olympic gold medals in women's swimming with the legendary Jenny Thompson. Both swimming powerhouses now hold an identical medal tally of eight golds, three silvers, and one bronze.
Additionally, Ledecky joins an exclusive club of female swimmers with 12 total Olympic medals, including Americans Dara Torres and Natalie Coughlin, and Australian Emma McKeon.
Ledecky's quest for more Olympic glory continues as she dives into the 800-meter freestyle event on Friday, and she is also expected to be a pivotal part of the 4x200-meter freestyle relay team, with the final scheduled for Thursday.
The day witnessed more swimming excellence as Sweden's Sarah Sjöström struck gold in the 100-meter freestyle, followed by Torri Huske of the USA with silver, and Hong Kong's Siobhan Haughey narrowly edging out Australia's Mollie O'Callaghan for the bronze.
Ledecky's triumph comes hot on the heels of the U.S. men's team's gold medal performance in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay. This adds to Ledecky's bronze medal in the women's 400-meter freestyle on Saturday, marking a highly successful start to her Olympic campaign in Paris.