"My goals are very time focused" - Katie Ledecky opens up on mindset as she eyes an iconic fourth Olympic appearance in Paris

By Janhavi Shinde

Modified Jul 21, 2024 04:36 GMT

Having dominated the swimming world for around 12 years, since her first Olympic medal, Katie Ledecky's focus remains on improving her times rather than achieving any "first to do so" feats in any event. The American will compete in her fourth edition of the prestigious event.

So far, Ledecky has secured ten Olympic medals from three editions of the Games. She has multiple world records in the freestyle events under her belt. The American registered a world record in the 800m freestyle event at the 2016 Summer Olympics, clocking a stunning time of 8:04.79.

Two years later, at the 2018 TYR Pro Swim Series in Indianapolis, she set the new world record in the women's 1500m freestyle event, posting 15:20.48. Further, Ledecky also clocked a world record in the 400m freestyle with 3:56.46 at the Rio Games, which was shattered by Ariarne Titmus in 2023 with 3:55.38.

In a recent interview with NBC Olympics, She stated that despite her long reign in the swimming realm, her focus hasn't shifted from posting remarkable times.

“Every athlete, as they get older, has to learn new ways to set goals, learn new ways to evaluate the results,” Ledecky said.

“My goals are not to be the first person to do this, to be the first person to do that and join this person and this person as the only ones that have done this,” she added. “My goals are very time focused and splits focused and technically focused.”

Who will Katie Ledecky compete against at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

Katie Ledecky (Image by Getty)

Katie Ledecky will compete in three individual events, including the 400m, 800m, and 1500m freestyle at the Paris La Defense Arena.

Ledecky will face the 2023 Pan American gold medalist Page Madden in the 400m freestyle event. They will be joined by Sophie-Mary Harvey, Eve Thomas, Erika Fairweather, world championship medalist of the event Summer McIntosh, the world record holder Ariarne Titmus, and her teammate Jamie Perkins.

Katie Ledecky will also compete in the 800m freestyle event as a formidable contender with three Olympic gold medals in the event under her belt. She will vie for her fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal while locking horns with Madden, Titmus, and Australia's Lani Pallister.

The 27-year-old swimmer will face her fellow teammate Katie Grimes in the 1500m freestyle event. The American swimmers will be joined by Italy's Simona Quadarella and Australia's Pallister and Moesha Johnson.