Team USA | Katie Ledecky Kicks Off Swimming in Paris, Remains Focused on Her Goals

NANTERRE, France – Seven-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky kicked off her fourth Olympic Games at just 27 years old on Saturday with a bronze medal in the women’s 400-meter freestyle final.

The transcendent swimmer will still compete in the 800m and 1,500m individual freestyle events at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 with a chance to become the first female athlete to four-peat in an event should she take gold in the 800m freestyle.

But that isn’t Ledecky’s focus. 

“These things kind of go in one ear and out the other,” Ledecky said of her chance at history. “… I hear them, I see them, but I don’t really focus on them … I just stay focused on my own goals.” 

Ledecky’s goals are not to join other greats in an exclusive group of athletes that accomplish a certain feat, nor are they to become the first woman to do something spectacular on a global stage. Though those would be bonus achievements along with her personal goals, Ledecky remains locked-in on her split and technique-oriented marks that she sets for herself before the games begin. 

This Olympic cycle goes deeper than performances for Ledecky. She is the U.S.’ only four-time Olympian rostered on the national swim team, earning her the leadership responsibilities associated with being a veteran of such stature and experience. 

“We have so much respect for Katie,” U.S. teammate Ryan Murphy said. “The way she carries herself is second to none. She’s so humble, but she’s also a really good leader in that she’s so consistent day-to-day … She’s one of the best of all time, so we’re really lucky to have her on our team as both an athlete and a leader.”