Katie Ledecky Crushes the Field in 1500m Freestyle for Her Eighth Career Olympic Gold Medal

Katie Ledecky has won Olympic medals in a lot of swimming events, but the one that is considered her signature race in the 1500 meter freestyle. She did not disappoint in the event in the Paris Olympics on July 31st.

Ledecky led from start to finish in the finals, setting a new Olympic record of 15 minutes, 30.02 seconds to win the gold. She was way out in front at the end, finishing 10.33 seconds ahead of silver medalist Anastasiia Kirpichinikova of France. Isabel Gose of Germany took the bronze. Ladecky has absolutely dominated this event over the years: the top 20 times ever in the 1500 all belong to her.

Ledecky is in her third Olympics, and this was her eighth gold medal. She has 12 total Olympic medals, including a bronze she won in the 400 meter freestyle earlier this week. She will also compete in the 4 X 200 freestyle relay and 800m freestyle. If she wins a medal in either event, she will break a four way tie with Americans Dara Torres, Natalie Coughlin, and Jenny Thompson for the most Olympic medals by a female swimmer. Ledecky, 27, wants to swim in the 2028 games in Los Angeles.

Here’s her record setting 1500m victory.