iStock/Thinkstock(RIO DE JANERO) — The Olympian has already won three gold medals at the Summer Games (added to her one gold in London) and she’s broken 12 world records throughout her career.
Before she competes in the women’s 800-meter freestyle, here are five things to know about Ledecky:
1. She’s rooming with fellow gold-medalist Simone Manuel.
While in Rio, Ledecky’s Olympic Village roommate is none other than Simone Manuel, who tied for gold in the 100-meter freestyle. The proud roomie shared her excitement on Twitter:
AHHH!!! My roomie @simone_manuel just won a gold medal! I'm shaking. So proud of you. #CHAMP
— Katie Ledecky (@katieledecky) August 12, 2016
2. She was the youngest American at the London Games in 2012.
Ledecky was just 15 at the Summer Games four years ago, making her the youngest member of Team USA at the time. Regardless, she managed to take home a gold medal for the 800-meter freestyle.
3. Swimming is a family thing.
Chlorinated water runs in her veins.
Ledecky’s mother swam at the University of New Mexico and her older brother, Michael, was also a swimmer. In fact, Ledecky began swimming at age 6 to follow in her big bother’s footsteps.
4. She’s off to college.
Though Ledecky deferred a year to train for the Olympics, the 19-year-old has committed to Stanford University. After this not-so-relaxing summer, she’ll be heading there in the fall.
5. If she takes the 800-meter freestyle gold, she will be the second swimmer ever to win gold in the 200-, 400- and 800-meter freestyle races at the same Games.
Only one has been able to do it before her. In the 1968 Olympics, Debbie Meyer managed to place first in all three events. Now that Ledecky has taken the gold in the only race she was not overwhelmingly favored to win (the 200-meter freestyle), it seems more likely than not that she will match Meyer’s trifecta.
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