"Something I didn't intend to do"- Katie Ledecky weighs in on the plan to continue with swimming after retirement

Katie Ledecky recently opened up about her future, sharing her intention to continue swimming after her retirement. Ledecky is the most decorated female Olympic swimmer of all time, following her Paris Olympics victories.

So far, the American has collected 14 Olympic medals, nine gold, four silver, and one bronze medal. She holds the world records in the women's 800m and 1500m freestyle events. At the 2024 Paris Games, Ledecky successfully defended her 800m and 1500m freestyle titles, with imposing times of 8:11.04 and 15:30.02, respectively.

In a recent episode of Unfiltered Waters podcast, Katie Ledecky talked about her changing relationship with swimming, expressing her desire to continue swimming after her retirement. She also highlighted her book "Just Add Water," which reflects on her journey from her upbringing in Maryland to dominating the swimming domain.

When asked if she could swim without thinking of time and results, Ledecky confirmed it. She said that she embraced Sunday swims, prioritizing fun in the sport over competitive training, which eventually helped her get better results on Monday and also taught her to consider her approach toward swimming after retirement.

"As I said in the book, it's kind of, I think, sort of teaching me what swimming is going to be like for me once, once I do stop competing. Because I think I would like to be someone that does go to the pool to swim," she said (at 14:14)

She added the decision was influenced by her mother Mary Ledecky, a former University of New Mexico swimmer who still enjoys swimming.

"My mom still swims. She loves it. So I want to have that kind of relationship with swimming in the future," she said

"I think I'm sort of setting myself up for that now with the Sunday Swim, something I didn't intend to do, but I think just naturally I've recognized that this is great for me in more than just one way,” Ledecky added.

Although Ledecky is already contemplating her post-retirement plan and hasn't scratched the idea of competing at the 2028 LA Games.

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"I was just a little surprised" - Katie Ledecky reflects on her bronze medal victory in 400m freestyle at the Paris Olympics

Katie Ledecky after the 400m freestyle at the Paris Olympics. (Source - Getty)

Katie Ledecky secured a bronze medal in the women's 400m freestyle at the 2024 Paris Olympics after finishing behind Ariarne Titmus and Summer McIntosh, who clocked 3:57.49 and 3:58.37. Ledecky clocked 4:00.86.

In the same interview, she reflected on the race saying she was taken aback by the time, feeling that she swum well.

"So the 400 free [freestyle] prelim and final, I was four down in the final," she said. "I don't think I've ever been over four minutes in an international meet, and it didn't feel like a four-minute swim, it felt like at least a 3:59, it felt decent, so I was just a little surprised but at the same time, I was really happy with the bronze, I wasn't disappointed with that," Ledecky said (at 17:05).

Katie Ledecky recorded her personal best 400m freestyle at the Rio Games, clocking 3:5646, a former world record.