Katie Ledecky makes history and matches Michael Phelps' record at Olympics after gold medal win

U. S. swimmer Katie Ledecky has made Olympic history in Paris, winning gold in the women's 800m freestyle and equalling the legendary Michael Phelps. With her ninth Olympic gold medal, Ledecky is now the most successful female Olympian in American history and has also tied the all-time record.

Ledecky now boasts a total of 14 Olympic medals, tying with former Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina as the most decorated female Olympian.

Her victory in the 800m freestyle marked her second gold at the Paris Olympics, but it was her fourth consecutive win in that event. Ledecky has now joined Phelps as the only swimmer to clinch gold in the same Olympic event four times consecutively.

In addition to her 800m success, Ledecky also won gold in the women's 1500m freestyle event this summer in Paris and secured a silver medal in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay, where Australia took gold by setting a new Olympic record (7:38.08). Ledecky also earned a bronze medal in the women's 400m freestyle and is just one gold medal away from becoming the most successful female Olympian in history.

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The 27-year-old first struck gold at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and has remained undefeated in the women's 800m freestyle ever since. Ahead of Saturday's final, Ledecky was trying not to dwell on the potentially historic moment, staying focused on the task at hand.

"I try not to really think about it," Ledecky said Friday when asked about the possibility of matching Phelps' record. "Just taking it one event at a time and I know I have challenges in each of my events. When it's all said and done, I'll enjoy it."

Katie Ledecky is swimming against the current of history as she aims to reach the heights of Michael Phelps' legendary record, but she's keeping her cool. "I try not to really think about it," Ledecky shared on Friday, focusing instead on the immediate challenges of her upcoming events.

She's tied for second in the all-time Olympic gold medal tally, with nine to her name, while Phelps leads the pack with an astonishing 23.

Simone Biles, another American icon, is hot on Ledecky's heels with seven golds across three Olympics. Phelps, meanwhile, has been nothing but supportive of Ledecky, even calling her the greatest swimmer of our generation.

Phelps didn't take kindly to fans criticizing Ledecky for her third-place finish in the women's 400m freestyle, where she trailed winner Ariarne Titmus by 3.37 seconds. "

"You have to give credit where credit's due," Phelps said in an interview with NBC Olympics. "She's setting records every single day. Moving forward, she's coming into her bread-and-butter events. The events she has dominated her whole career. This race will be something she will put behind her, and really start to generate that focus towards the upcoming events."