Katie Ledecky Wins Gold Medal During Women's 800m Freestyle at 2024 Olympics

Katie Ledecky won her fourth gold medal in the women's 800-meter freestyle exactly 12 years after she won her first gold in the event in 2012.

Ledecky joined Michael Phelps as the only swimmers in Summer Olympics history to win four gold medals in a single event.

Ledecky won her ninth career gold medal on Saturday, which is the most by any female American Olympian.

The Olympic legend beat Australia's Ariarne Titmus by a full second, while American Paige Madden picked up third place to add to the United States' medal haul inside the pool at Paris La Defense Arena.

Results

1. Katie Ledecky (United States) - 8:11.04

2. Ariarne Titmus (Australia) - 8:12.29

3. Paige Madden (United States) - 8:13.00

4. Simona Quadarella (Italy) - 8:14.55

5. Isabel Gose (Germany) - 8:17.82

6. Lani Pallister (Australia) - 8:21.09

7. Anastasiia Kirpichnikova (France) - 8:22.80

8. Erika Fairweather (New Zealand) - 8:23.27

Ledecky used the final 200 meters to pull away from her closest rival in the 800-meter freestyle.

Titmus was close to Ledecky for a majority of the early laps, but Ledecky kicked around the 600-meter mark to gain separation from the Paris gold medalist in the 400-meter freestyle.

Ledecky's win gave her back-to-back gold-medal doubles in the two longest events in the pool: the 800-meter and 1,500-meter freestyles.

The 800-meter freestyle has been Ledecky's best event across four Olympics. She won four of her nine golds in the event.

Titmus put in a very respectable swim behind Ledecky to gain another medal for Australia in the pool.

Madden delivered a terrific swim of her own to land the bronze medal to add to the United States' medal haul.

After the 800-meter freestyle, the United States owns a 24-15 advantage in swimming medals over Australia, but the Aussies lead 7-5 in golds.