"Not thinking much about swimming" - Katie Ledecky opens up about a change in her mindset after Paris Olympics that was persistent during Tokyo & Rio

Us Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky shed light on how she has been taking it easy since her Paris Olympic success, not thinking much about swimming. The nine-time Olympic gold medalist also talked about not analyzing her races as much as she did after Rio and Tokyo Olympics.

Ledecky, who stands with the most medals won by a female swimmer in history, competed at the 2024 US Olympic Trials and finished in first place in four events, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m freestyle events).

At her fourth Olympic edition in Paris, the 27-year-old lost to Aussie Ariarne Titmus and Canadian Summer McIntosh to settle for the 400m freestyle bronze. However, she won the 800m freestyle and 1500m freestyle in 8:11.04 and 15:30.02 (Olympic record), respectively.

The 21-time World gold medalist was also part of the women's 4x200m freestyle relay team that won silver in 7:40.86. Shortly after her Olympic exploits, she graced The Unfiltered Waters podcast seat for an hour-long conversation.

When former US swimmer, Missy Franklin, pointed out Ledecky's laid-back approach to her sport now, the latter concurred, opening up about not thinking much about swimming after the Paris Games.

"I have done a really good job, I think, of not thinking very much about swimming not analyzing my races from Paris too much. I really haven't watched them probably more than once or twice which I think has evolved over time. I think after London especially and probably after Rio and Tokyo too I would watch some of the races to death," she shared in the podcast. [10:25]

Although Katie Ledecky doesn't think about her Olympic races, she misses being around her teammates-turned-friends.

"I miss being around my friends you know my teammates are my best friends so just miss being around that group, after knowing that they've been in a couple of weeks," she added.

Katie Ledecky on her love for water and training every day

Katie Ledecky swimming in the women's 1500m freestyle finals at the 2024 Paris Games; Source: Getty

Katie Ledecky unexpectedly won the 800m freestyle gold at the 2012 London Olympics and swept eight more in the following editions. On extending her gold medal tally to nine, she tied the 60-year-old record of gymnast Larisa Latynina (1964).

After her achievement, the Olympian talked about her drive to swim every day and enjoy practice sessions for self-improvement.

"Self-improvement and enjoying training every day. I love going to the pool every day. I just love the feeling of being in the water and going to practice every day and working as hard as I can," she said. (via Olympics.com)

The 27-year-old held the 400m freestyle world record and holds the 800m and 1500m freestyle world records. Her 16th career individual gold medal at the 2023 World Championships surpassed the legendary Michael Phelps' then-record tally, .