WATCH: Katie Ledecky in tears as Robert Finke tells her that she will be Team USA's flag bearer at Paris Olympics closing ceremony

Katie Ledecky, the most decorated American female swimmer, could not hold back her happy tears upon learning from her compatriot Robert Finke that she would be leading Team USA as the flag bearer at the closing ceremony of the ongoing Paris Olympics. Ledecky recently etched her name in the history books after winning the ninth gold medal of her career at the 2024 Summer Games.

She became the most decorated female Olympic athlete in America, a feat that she achieved following her women's 800m freestyle gold on Sunday, August 4. The 27-year-old swimming phenom secured a total of four medals in Paris: two golds in the 800m freestyle and 1500m freestyle, a silver in the 4x200m freestyle relay, and a bronze in the 400m freestyle.

Her 800m freestyle gold also earned her the distinction of being only the second swimmer in history after Michael Phelps to win four successive Olympic gold medals in the same event. All of these remarkable achievements contributed to her selection as the flag bearer for Team United States alongside rower Nick Mead during the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics, scheduled for Sunday, August 11.

Katie Ledecky learned about the honor through a video call from her fellow American swimmer, Robert Finke, who won two medals in Paris. Team USA posted the video of their conversation on their X (formerly Twitter) handle, where Finke said:

"Hey! I just wanted to thank you, you've been a huge inspiration and a leader to us for 12 years. I've gotten to know you for these 12 years, and I really can't think of anyone better to lead us out of these Olympic Games. So you're gonna need a new jacket."

An emotional Ledecky replied:

"Okay! I'm here at open water and you're making me cry. Thank you Team USA, this is a huge honor, can't wait for closing ceremony and it's been an honor representing our country here in Paris and I'm so proud to be a part of this team."

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"Really happy that I could get the job done" - Katie Ledecky reflects on her Paris Olympics performance

Swimming - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 8 - Source: Getty

Katie Ledecky took her overall Olympic medal tally to 14 after her remarkable display of swimming prowess at the Paris Olympics. Speaking about her Paris performance and winning four consecutive golds in the 800m freestyle, the Washington, DC, born stated (via Team USA):

"Four times is the one that means the most to me. I knew that August 3 is the day I won in 2012, and I didn't want August 3 to be a day that I didn't like moving forward. I felt like I put a lot of pressure on myself, but I'm just really happy that I could get the job done," Ledecky said.

Katie Ledecky also mentioned that she knew from the beginning that her 800m freestyle race would be tough from start to finish, but she felt confident as she competed in the event.