Who is Katie Grimes? All about the 18-year-old long-distance swimmer competing at the Paris Olympics

Katie Grimes is an American swimmer who primarily specializes in long-distance events. The 18-year-old swimmer is all set to compete in the women's 10,000m after two appearances at the Paris Olympics in the women's 400m individual medley and the 1500m freestyle. Grimes won the silver medal in the women's 400m individual medley, trailing behind Canada's Summer McIntosh, with a time of 4:33.40.

Katie Grimes finished fifth in the heat of the women's 1500 freestyle after clocking 16:12.11, thereby failing to qualify for the finals. The American athlete is all set to compete in the final event of her Paris Olympics campaign which is the women's 10km. Specializing in long-distance events, Grimes is USA's biggest hope for a podium in the event.

When was Katie Grimes born? All about family and hometown

Fukuoka 2023 World Aquatics Championships: Open Water Swimming - Day 1 - Source: Getty

Kathryn Eileen Grimes also known as Katie Grimes was born on January 8, 2006, in Las Vegas, Nevada to Christian and Shari Grimes. Early in her career as a swimmer, Grimes joined the Sandpipers competitive swim team in Nevada.

Who is Katie Grimes' coach?

Katie Grimes trains under the guidance of Ron Aitken, who is a highly experienced coach with over 30 years of experience in training some of the best swimmers in the USA.

Katie Grimes' rise to prominence at the Tokyo Olympics

Fukuoka 2023 World Aquatics Championships: Open Water Swimming - Day 1 - Source: Getty

Katie Grimes rose to prominence after she qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in the 800m freestyle. She finished after legendary swimmer Katie Ledecky in the U.S. Olympic swimming trials after clocking 8:20.36. Her performance sent shock waves across the country and Grimes was considered to be the future of the sport after such a terrific performance as a 15-year-old.

Katie Grimes became the youngest Athlete in Team USA's Tokyo Olympic squad. She fished fourth in the finals of the women's 800m freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics with a time of 8:19.38.

Other achievements of Katie Grimes

After winning the U.S. International team trials in 2022 in the women's 400m individual medley and placing second in the 1500m freestyle she qualified for the 2022 World Aquatics Championships. She won the silver medal in the 1500m freestyle after clocking a personal best of 15:44.89.

Grimes won the silver medal in the women's 400m individual medley with a time of 4:32.67. In the 2022 FINA World Cup, she set the World Junior Record in the short course 1500m freestyle with a time of 15:42.05.