From dressing up like Katie Ledecky on Halloween to competing against her at U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, Erin Gemmell lived her dream

Erin Gemmell, who was once dressed up as Katie Ledecky during Halloween, got the opportunity to swim against her childhood superhero at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials. Gemmell and Ledecky both featured in the same semi-final of the women’s 200m freestyle in the trials.

In semi-final 2, Ledecky, swimming in Lane 4, delivered a phenomenal performance, clocking a 1:55.25, to qualify for the finals of the women’s 200m freestyle with the best overall time among all swimmers. Gemmell too followed her as she advanced to the finals with a time of 1:56.53, placing her fourth overall and third in her semis while swimming in lane 3.

"On Her Turf", via their Instagram handle, shared this interesting fact about Erin Gemmell dressing up like Ledecky in childhood.

Gemmell can be seen wearing featured goggles and a Team USA swimming cap with “Ledecky” written on it given to her during that time by Ledecky. This was a part of her Halloween costume where the children were asked to dress up as their favorite superheroes. As an 8-year-old kid, Gemmell considered Ledecky as her superhero.

The account also shared a glimpse from the semi-finals in which Katie Ledecky and Erin Gemmell were seen competing during the trials on Sunday. One can watch the video here.

This is one of the few instances when Ledecky and Gemmell competed against one another. They also met each other during the 2022 Phillips 66 National Championships which Ledecky won in a time of 1:54.50 as Gemmell swam a 1:56.14 to come second.

Last year, at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships, both the swimmers were members of the USA’s women's 4x200m freestyle relay team that clinched the silver medal, clocking a time of 7:41.38 in the finals, only behind Australia (7:37.50). Gemmell and Ledecky swam the first and second legs in the event.

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Katie Ledecky’s performance so far at 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials

Katie Ledecky of the United States reacts in the Women's 400m freestyle medal ceremony on Day One of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium on June 15, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Katie Ledecky has secured her place in the women’s 400m freestyle team for the 2024 Paris Olympics after winning the event with a 3:58.35 on day 1 of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials. This implies that the 27-year-old will be heading to her fourth Summer Olympics.

After reaching the finals of women’s 200m freestyle, she will aim to also book her spot in the event whose final is scheduled on June 17. Additionally, Ledecky will be looking to secure her place in the USA’s squad in the 800m and 1500m freestyle events for the Paris Olympics to defend her Olympic titles.