Kathleen "Katie" Ledecky is an 11-time Olympic medalist, born on March 17, 1997. She dominates swimming with the most Olympic gold medals ever won—seven and 21 golds at the World Championships. At the World Aquatics Championships, she also set a record by winning 16 gold medals in a single event.
Ledecky holds the world records in the women's 800- and 1500-meter freestyle events (short course and long course), and she formerly held the record in the women's 400-meter long course freestyle event. She also holds the fastest records ever in the women's 1000-, 500-, and 1650-yard freestyle events. As one of the greatest Olympians in history, she is widely considered the best female swimmer of all time. In the 2024 Summer Olympics, Katie won a gold medal in 1500m freestyle event. She has a new Olympics record of 1500m freestyle with a time of 15:30.02 only. Additionally, she secured a bronze medal at 400m freestyle with a finishing time of 4:00.86.
Katie Ledecky’s Speed
In August 2016, Katie Ledecky won the gold medal in the women's 800 freestyle at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, setting a new world record by clocking 08:04.79. She is the only swimmer in the history of the World Championship to win five straight world titles in the 800m freestyle. Also, she hasn't been beaten in the 800 freestyle in almost a decade.
Ledecky’s Olympic achievements include winning the gold medal in the 800 meters three times, the 1,500 meters once, and the 4x200 meters relay once with one gold and once with a silver. Katie Ledecky’s personal best, as per the World Aquatics (FINA), is as follows:
| Event | Time | Medal | Pool Ln. | Age | Events | Date |
| Women 50 Freestyle | 26.64 | - | 25m | 25 | FINA Swimming World Cup 2022 | 04/11/2022 |
| Women 100 Freestyle | 54.89 | - | 25m | 25 | FINA Swimming World Cup 2022 | 04/11/2022 |
| Women 200 Freestyle | 01:52.10 | Silver | 25m | 25 | FINA Swimming World Cup 2022 | 04/11/2022 |
| Women 400 Freestyle | 03:52.88 | Silver | 25m | 25 | FINA Swimming World Cup 2022 | 28/10/2022 |
| Women 800 Freestyle | 07:57.42 WR | Gold | 25m | 25 | FINA Swimming World Cup 2022 | 05/11/2022 |
| Women 1500 Freestyle | 15:08.24 WR | Gold | 25m | 25 | FINA Swimming World Cup 2022 | 29/10/2022 |
| Women 50 Freestyle | 25.45 | - | 50m | 18 | Arena Pro Series Minneapolis 2015 | 12/11/2015 |
| Women 100 Freestyle | 53.75 | - | 50m | 18 | ST Arena Pro Swim at Austin 2016 | 15/01/2016 |
| Women 200 Freestyle | 01:53.73 | Gold | 50m | 19 | Olympic Games Rio 2016 | 09/08/2016 |
| Women 400 Freestyle | 03:56.46 WR | Gold | 50m | 19 | Olympic Games Rio 2016 | 07/08/2016 |
| Women 800 Freestyle | 08:04.79 WR | Gold | 50m | 19 | Olympic Games Rio 2016 | 12/08/2016 |
| Women 1500 Freestyle | 15:20.48 WR | - | 50m | 21 | Indianapolis PSS 2018 | 16/05/2018 |
| Women 200 Butterfly | 02:13.77 | - | 50m | 25 | 2023 TYR Pro Series FL | 02/03/2023 |
| Women 50 Butterfly | 28.77 | - | 50m | 25 | Phillips 66 National Championships (50m) 2022 - Time Trial | 30/07/2022 |
| Women 200 Medley | 02:12.67 | - | 50m | 27 | Atlanta Classic 2024 | 18/05/2024 |
| Women 100 Butterfly | 01:02.50 | - | 50m | 25 | Phillips 66 National Championships (50m) 2022 | 28/07/2022 |
| Women 400 Medley | 04:35.77 | Gold | 50m | 25 | Phillips 66 National Championships (50m) 2022 | 28/07/2022 |
| Women 4x100 Freestyle Relay | 03:31.72 AM NR | Gold | 50m | - | 17th FINA World Championships 2017 | 23/07/2017 |
| Women 4x200 Freestyle Relay | 07:40.73 AM NR | Silver | 50m | - | Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 | 29/07/2021 |
| Women 4x100 Medley Relay | 04:13.35 | - | 50m | - | US National Championships (50m) | 06/08/2011 |
Katie Ledecky’s 1500m time
In May 2018, Katie Ledecky, competing in the women's 1500 freestyle at the Indianapolis Pro Swim Series, set a world record by clocking 15:20.48. She recorded 19 of the all-time best 1500-meter freestyle times. Further, in both the Olympic and World Championship freestyle events, she has never lost an 800- or 1500-meter event. Most recently, US President Joe Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024. In the 2024 Summer Olympics, she set a new record of winning a gold medal in 1500m freestyle with a time of 15:30.02.
Katie Ledecky’s 800m freestyle
In the women's 800 freestyle, Katie Ledecky broke the world record with a time of 08:04.79, winning a gold medal in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics; this is also a record for women and the second-fastest in history. Over her career, she has shattered 37 national and 14 world records.
Katie Ledecky’s 400m freestyle
In the women's 400 freestyle, Katie Ledecky won a gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics by setting a world record with a time of 03:56.46. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she won a bronze medal in the 400m freestyle for clocking 04:00.86.
FAQ's On Katie Ledecky Speed
A. Katie Ledecky's fastest 800m freestyle is a world record, clocking 08:04.79, set at the 2016 Olympics, winning a gold medal.
A. Katie Ledecky was 15 years old when she made an Olympic appearance at the 2012 London Olympics.
A. Yes, Katie Ledecky is considered by many to be the greatest swimmer of all time.
A. Katie Ledecky has won 21 gold medals at the World Championships and five silvers.
A. Yes, Katie Ledecky won a bronze and a gold medal in the women's 400m freestyle and 1500m freestyle respectively at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
