Katie Ledecky made history by becoming the most decorated U.S. female Olympian after winning silver in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay at the 2024 Paris Games. Her team, consisting of Paige Madden, Claire Weinstein, and Erin Gemmell, secured second place behind Australia, with China taking bronze.
On Wednesday, Ledecky earned her eighth gold medal in the 1,500-meter freestyle, bringing her total Olympic medal count to 12. She set a new Olympic record with a time of 15 minutes and 30.02 seconds, beating her competitors by over 10 seconds.
RELATED STORY | Katie Ledecky wins gold in 1,500-meter freestyle, ties record for most Olympic medals won by a US woman
Known for excelling in the 1,500-meter race, Ledecky has maintained her dominance in this event for over a decade. She celebrated her victory by joyfully slapping the water in triumph.
Gender balance reached for the first time
The International Olympic Committee announced that the 2024 Games will feature an equal number of male and female participants for the first time. With over 10,000 athletes invited, there are 331 medal events, including 151 male events, 146 female events, and 20 mixed-gender competitions. New sports such as breakdancing, climbing, skateboarding, and surfing will also be introduced in this year’s Olympics. Among them.
