Katie Ledecky: podcast appearances and interviews

Kathleen Genevieve Ledecky is an American competitive swimmer born on March 17, 1997. She is recognized as the most decorated female swimmer in history and the most decorated American woman in Olympic history, having accumulated a total of 14 Olympic medals including nine golds. Ledecky has won a record 18 individual gold medals at the World Aquatics Championships and holds world records in the women's 800- and 1500-meter freestyle long course as well as the 1500-meter freestyle short course. She made her international debut at the 2012 London Olympic Games as a 15-year-old, winning gold in the women's 800-meter freestyle. Four years later at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, she secured four gold medals, one silver medal, and set two world records, establishing herself as a prominent figure in the sport. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she became the most decorated U.S. female athlete and the first American female swimmer to win an individual event in three consecutive Olympiads. In 2025, she achieved historical success by winning gold in the 800-meter event at the World Championships, becoming the first swimmer to earn seven World Championship gold medals in the same event. Throughout her career, Ledecky has amassed a total of 54 medals in major international competitions, including 40 golds, 11 silvers, and three bronzes, and has broken 17 world records. Her accomplishments have earned her numerous awards such as Swimming World's Female World Swimmer of the Year a record five times and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024.