Katie Ledecky's Perfect Response To Michael Phelps' Reality Check Message To Team USA

If you were to look at the medal count for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, you'd think that all is going swimmingly.

The United States is leading the way by a wide margin with 94 total medals, a mark that is 29 more than China, which has the second most. On top of leading the entire Olympics in the medal count, Team USA is also leading China for most golds in Paris with 27 to their 25. However, not everyone is thrilled with how the U.S. looked in Paris this year, with Olympic legend Michael Phelps recently putting the men's swim program on blast for their performance.

The men's swim team had a historically poor showing by their standards, winning just one gold medal in individual events in what was the final event. Had Bobby Finke not swam his world-record 14:30.67 in the 1,500-meter freestyle to win gold, it would have marked the first time that the U.S. hadn't won an individual gold in swimming in 124 years. Team USA also didn't win gold in the 4×100 medley relay for what was the first time since the event's introduction in 1960, with the only time they didn't win gold being in 1980 when they boycotted the Moscow Olympics.

Phelps expressed his displeasure in a recent interview, saying he was "disappointed" and is hopeful that the team will be better prepared in 2028.

"For me as a whole I was pretty disappointed to see the U.S. swimming results," Phelps said to USA TODAY . "Obviously there were a few standout swims and those you have to recognize. You know Bobby Finke last night swimming that was ... unbelievable. I have chills right now talking about it. That was one of the greatest swims in the Olympics, in my opinion. Being able to break that world record in the matter that he did it. Just taking it out challenging the other guys just to make a move ... he was prepared. Hopefully the other athletes are more prepared going into '28."

While viewing the men's side as a letdown, Phelps also revealed that the other countries have caught up to the U.S., something that Katie Ledecky acknowledged when asked about her comments, but also made sure to highlight how well the women's side performed in Paris.

"Well, USA swimming came out on top on the medal count once again," Ledecky told Sports Seriously. " Both the gold medals and the total medal count, so we're very happy with that outcome. But yeah, the rest of the world is getting faster, and it's pushing all of us, and you know, everyone's learning how to train in different ways and get faster.

"I think there's more specificity in terms of events, and you know what people are focusing on," Ledecky explained. "So it just creates really good competition, and that's what you want at the Olympics. You want to race the best of the best. You want to raise the level of your competition, and I think that's what we're all doing."

Team USA's women's swim team will leave Paris with 28 total medals, which is 10 more than rival Australia who is in second with 18. On top of that, the Americans also led the way in the gold medal count with 8 to Australia's 7.

Ledecky made it clear that Phelps' comments simply didn't apply to both the men's and women's teams, and also made sure that there was respect put on the women's side. As for how she did as an individual in Paris, Ledecky won four medals in total, with two golds to her name and bronze and silver medals as well.

Her ninth-career gold medal made her the most decorated female Olympian from the United States. She is also the fifth-most decorated Olympian of all time, and she isn't done adding to her legacy just yet, as she is hopeful to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“I'd love to compete in LA,” Ledecky said per Team USA . “I mean, we'll see. It's not easy. But again, I'll take it year by year and give it everything I’ve got for as long as I have left in me.”

Related: Michael Phelps' Brutal Two-Word Evaluation Of U.S. Swimmers At 2024 Paris Olympics