What Is It Exactly That Makes Katie Ledecky So Darn Special?

She’s got an even dozen Olympic medals and two-thirds of them are gold. She just set a new 1,500-meter record (breaking the previous record that she also set). And the 2024 Paris games are just getting started.

But just looking at her stockpile of hardware doesn’t even do swimmer Katie Ledecky’s developing legacy justice. So let’s consider what really sets her apart.

Chasing Michael Phelps

Almost any conversation about Ledecky is naturally going to include a comparison to fellow American Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, who has more Olympic medals (28!) than any other competitor in the history of the games, regardless of event.

But he’s not competing this year and Ledecky’s domination of the sport seems to still be hitting its stride.

Among female athletes, she’s got more individual medals than any other Olympian in history. And when she jumps into a race, the other competitors are often competing among themselves for a silver medal because she’s already got the top spot locked.

At the age of 27, she’s been competing at the Olympic level for nearly half her life, starting in 2012 at the age of 15. She didn’t waste any time starting her medal collection, either, taking home gold in the 800-meter individual freestyle in London.

Consistency is key

You can point to a number of Olympians throughout history who have stood head and shoulders above even the most elite contenders in their events. But analysts say Ledecky is different for one notable reason: consistency.

Over the course of a dozen years, four Summer Olympics, and countless competitions in between, she’s pushed through the tireless workouts and grueling races, proving to herself and the world that she’s simply the best.

Now we all get to watch her do her thing again … this time in Paris.

Chris Agee August 2nd, 2024

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