Katie Ledecky wins gold in 800 free for record 4th time

Field Level Media|published: Sat 3rd August, 15:57 2024

Aug 2, 2024; Nanterre, France; Katie Ledecky (USA) in the women’s 800-meter freestyle preliminary heats during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Paris La Défense Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

PARIS -- Katie Ledecky won a record-tying ninth career gold medal Saturday at the Paris Olympics, claiming an unprecedented fourth women's 800 meters freestyle title.

The American great touched the wall in 8:11.04 at La Defense Arena, 1.25 seconds ahead of Australian silver medalist Ariarne Titmus.

Paige Madden took bronze for the United States.

Ledecky's ninth gold from four Games gives her a share of the all-time record for female Olympians with former Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina.

She also joined fellow American great Michael Phelps as the only swimmer to win four Olympic golds in the same event.

Ledecky, 27, also won gold earlier this week in the 1,500-meter freestyle. She won her first gold medal at London in 2012, then added four at Rio and two more in Tokyo.

--Reuters, Special to Field Level Media