Katie Ledecky clinched the gold medal in the 1,500-meter freestyle on Wednesday, marking her 12th career medal. This achievement ties her with fellow American female swimmers Jenny Thompson, Dara Torres, and Natalie Coughlin for the most career medals by an American woman.
Katie Ledecky wins 8th Career Gold Medal
This dominant victory also secured Ledecky’s eighth career gold medal, matching Thompson’s record for the most golds by a U.S. woman in Olympic history.
Australian swimming star Emma McKeon also boasts 12 career medals — six gold, two silver, and four bronze — placing her alongside Katie Ledecky, Thompson, Torres, and Coughlin atop the list for the most podium appearances by a female swimmer.
Thompson earned her medals across four Olympic Games: Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), and Athens (2004). The 27-year-old Ledecky is in France, following her medal wins in Tokyo, Rio (2016), and London (2012).
Coughlin’s medal haul includes three golds, four silvers, and five bronzes, which she won in Athens, Beijing (2008), and London (2012). Torres has four of each type of medal, winning them in Los Angeles (1984), Seoul (1988), Barcelona, Sydney, and Beijing.
Ledecky now looks to 2028 Olympic Games
Hailing from Bethesda, Maryland, Ledecky still has potential medal opportunities in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay on Thursday and the 800-meter freestyle on Friday at Paris La Défense Arena.
Ledecky won her first career bronze on Saturday, finishing third in the 400-meter freestyle behind gold medalist Ariarne Titmus of Australia and runner-up Summer McIntosh of Canada.
McKeon secured her 12th overall medal on Saturday as part of Australia’s gold-winning 4×100-meter freestyle relay team.
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