Katie Ledecky, Regan Smith other swimmers react as Allison Schmitt announces engagement after surprise proposal

Katie Ledecky and other distinguished swimmers congratulated Allison Schmitt following her surprise engagement announcement. Schmitt and her fiancé, Gavin Walker, are planning to tie the knot in 2025.

Ledecky is a two-time US Olympic swimmer, a nine-time gold medalist, and a 21-time world champion. She holds world records in the women's 800m freestyle (8:04:79) and 1500m freestyle (15:20:48).

Schmitt, wrote Instagram while flaunting her ring:

"Cheers to planning our most special day of 2025".

The world record holder celebrated Schmitt's engagement in her post on Instagram.

She commented:

"Ahhhh, congrats!!!" (heart emojis)

Other notable swimmers, including Regan Smith, Kaitlin Sandeno, Lilly King, and Lydia Alice, among others, also congratulated the couple.

Allison Schmitt announces her engagement plans Source/ Instagram: @arschmitty

Ledecky and Schmitt, elite swimmers for the United States, have built a strong bond through years of training and competition. They both competed on the US Olympic swim team and participated in the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics, where they helped secure Team USA's success.

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Allison Schmitt praises Katie Ledecky for her Paris Olympics Performance

Katie Ledecky and Allison Schmitt at Golden Goggle Awards - Photo Getty

Katie Ledecky won four medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics: two golds in the 800m and 1500m freestyle, one silver in the 4x200m relay, and a bronze in the 400m freestyle. The Olympic champion clinched her ninth gold medal of her career during the games.

In an August 2012 interview with NBS News, Allison Schmitt praised Katie Ledecky's record-breaking performance at the Paris Olympics, calling it 'top-notch.' The interviewer asked:

"So Allison, you know, Katie Ledecky, you're an Olympian yourself, a champion. What makes her so special?" (0:14)

The former swimming champion replied:

"All around human beings, I mean, her work ethic is notch. You see it every time she dives in the water, being on her relays, I know that if she's at the end, we've got the best chance at gold. So, it's awesome to see her dive in, especially today in 1500. As soon as she dove into the water, the race was won right there". (0:20 onwards)

Following the Paris Games, Ledecky discussed her plans for the next Olympics in a September 2024 interview with CBS News.

"I love to swim in LA. I think an Olympics in the United States it's a unique opportunity."

She added that it will be a unique opportunity to compete on home soil, as not every athlete gets that chance.