Katie Ledecky, Legend of the Lakes – Libération

2024-08-04 11:45:13

Having become the most successful female athlete in Olympic history following the 800m final, the American swimmer made her mark again by edging rival Ariarne Titmus of Australia, then sharing the track with her compatriot Paige Madden.

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Best swimmer in the Games. American woman with the most medals at the Games. The only swimmer to have won four Olympic gold medals in the same event (only Michael Phelps has done so among swimmers). And to top it all off, the most successful female athlete in Olympic history, next to Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina. Throughout her Paris finals, Katie Ledecky has definitely established her legendary status. Saturday August 3, American fans came in large numbers to the La Défense swimming pool to celebrate their heroine who, at 27, now has a collection of 14 Olympic medals, including nine gold – in addition to her 21 world titles. “Legendecky” (Ledecky’s legend), sums up a marked sign in the middle of the stands.

In the pool, Ledecky performed as expected. The fourth Olympic final of the 800m freestyle, for those who love endurance races. The fourth victory. Well contested by his Australian rival Ariarne Titmus, four years younger, but not really worried. When the results were announced, the two champions held hands, raised their hands to the sky, and then embraced for a long time. “I thank him for helping me to improveLedecky admits. Knowing that you have to deal with someone like you pushes you to train every day. “ At the beginning of the week, he wrote the text “contest”you want to talk about“friend”. And Titmus sighs: “I told him he made me a better athlete. He’s amazing. He’s been winning races since he was 11.”

No time to retire

Katie Ledecky was just 15 years old when she won her first 800m at the London Games, beating the favourites. This is how the world discovered this beloved deer, which has not left a chance for its competitors since then. In Paris, about twelve years ago, on August 3 he again reached the crown over this distance. “It’s a bit like my birthday. I don’t want it to be a day I don’t want. “, he blurted. On your calendar, you have marked the next Games, which will take place in four years “house”since in Los Angeles. “I will give it my all as long as I have the strength.” For the woman who studied psychology at Stanford University, retirement (sports) has not yet arrived.

Before returning to training in Florida in the fall, “Ledeckster” will start with a proper vacation in Maryland, the state where he grew up. He plans to “back to the Palisades”The club where he took his first swim at age 6, inspired by his mother who had competed at university. “I’ll leave a little water and breathe. Swimming, playing ping-pong, visiting my grandmother.” He will undoubtedly take advantage of this stop to go see a game of the New York Islanders, the hockey team of which he is a fan and of which his uncle is the owner.

Lucky is beautiful

He talks about his hard work in the book entitled Just Add water, released in May. The swimmer said how, despite the sacrifices, it was always important for her happiness. “The medals go away, people forget their moments, but we remember the relationships, the emotions we felt during the competitions, and of course what will be written in my memory”he said on Saturday.

A few minutes ago, he had just invited his compatriot Paige Madden, third in the 800m, to join him on the top step of the podium, time to hum the American anthem, tears in the corner of his eyes. “I will always be grateful to youa promise Madden. It was one of the happiest moments of my life, and the epitome of Katie’s character. He is the one who prepares my hat before every game. So it was my lucky charm, I guess. “