BACKGROUND
Two world records, four world championships, one Olympic gold. All before she passed her driver’s license test. Born in Washington, D.C. in 1997, Kathleen Ledecky (Katie, for short) did not waste much time before beginning her already-legendary swimming career. She started swimming at age 6, following in her older brother Michael’s footsteps.
Ledecky lives with her parents in Bethesda, Maryland and attended Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. She continues to train with her original club, Nation’s Capital Swim Club. She was first coached by Yuri Suguiyama, but moved under Coach Bruce Gemmell.
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
2012 U.S. Olympic Trials
Ledecky exploded onto the U.S. swimming scene in 2012 at the Olympic Trials, where she was the youngest swimmer at the meet. She quickly claimed her spot in the future of American swimming by winning the 800 freestyle and finishing third in the 400 and ninth in the 200.
2012 Olympic Games
A few weeks later, she surprised her country and the world with a gold medal finish in the 800 freestyle at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, solidifying her place on the international stage. Her time of 8:14.63 was scarily close to the World Record and broke Janet Evans’ long-standing American Record of 8:16.22.
FUN FACTS
HIGH SCHOOL
Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart '15
PARENTS
David and Mary Gen Ledecky ... mother swam at University of New Mexico
SIBLING(S)
One older brother, Michael, is also a swimmer ... He will be a sophomore at Harvard College in the fall
STARTED SWIMMING
Age 6 ... started swimming with brother for summer league swim team, Palisades
TRAINING STATS
Swims 8,000 meters/yards a day ... 2.5-5 hours a day ... 8-9 workouts a week
FAVORITES
Sports team: Washington Capitals ... Sports moment: qualifying for the Olympic Trials
By far one of the best pacers and distance swimmers I have seen in a long time. This girl has so much stamina and endurance and power behind every stroke.
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