Katie Ledecky Posts Three-Word Message Before Olympic History-Making 1500 Final

Swimmer Katie Ledecky made U.S. history at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ledecky, who won her first gold medal at age 15 at the 2012 London Olympics, continues to dominate the sport at age 27.

After winning bronze in the 400-meter freestyle in Paris, Ledecky entered the 1,500-meter freestyle final with 11 Olympic medals. Ledecky, a seven-time gold medalist, needed just one more top-of-the-podium finish to tie former Team USA swimmer Jenny Thompson's gold medal record (8).

During the Olympic qualifying event for the 1,500-meter freestyle, Ledecky won the third heat nearly 20 seconds ahead of China's Li Bingjie, the second-place finisher. Just hours before hitting the pool for the final, she posted a simple message to fans.

"1500 final tonight," she wrote, a message that quickly went viral. One fan reposted her message and wrote, "My favorite sport is Katie Ledecky being the only one on the screen because that's how far ahead she is."

Ledecky's 15:47.43 time in the qualifying round was nearly four seconds faster than Italy's Simona Quadarella, who finished second overall. Ledecky, who won gold at the event during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, was the clear favorite to defend her title.

Ledecky went on to crush the competition during the 1,500-meter freestyle final, setting a new Olympic record with her 15.30.02 finish. Once again, her competitors weren't in frame during the final lap. She finished nearly 10 second ahead of second place, France's Anastasiya Kirpichnikova.

Ledecky is now tied with Thompson, Dara Torres, Natalie Coughlin and Emma McKeon as the most decorated female Olympic swimmer of all time. She's tied with Thompson as having the most gold medals, as well.

Ledecky can break both records in Paris, as she's also set to compete in the 4x200-meter relay and 800-meter freestyle in Paris. After winning gold during the 1,500-meter freestyle final, the Maryland-native became the first female swimmer to win gold at four different Olympic Games.

For those wondering if Paris will be Ledecky's last Olympic run, the answer is no. She already announced her intentions to work toward competing in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

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