Katie Ledecky sets new Olympic swimming record after Team USA wins silver in 4 x 200m freestyle

On Thursday, Katie Ledecky set yet another record when the women’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay team from Team USA took home the silver medal.

With 13 medals, the 27-year-old became the most decorated female swimmer in Olympic history. Her most recent victory ended a tie she had with Dara Torres, Jenny Thompson, and swimmer Natalie Coughlin.

In the demanding 1500m freestyle on Wednesday, the Maryland native claimed her eighth gold medal and her 12th overall. Ledecky tied Thompson for the most gold medals won by a female swimmer in Olympic history when she completed the event in an Olympic record time of 15:30.02.

Ledecky told reporters that she allowed her thoughts to roam and considered all the people who had contributed to her current situation as she was swimming.

“And during the race, I kind of let my mind wander, remembering everyone who has trained with me.” Was like thinking about them and chanting their names in my brain. I love you guys, my Florida crew—all those Florida boys who challenged me every day. I know I often make your life difficult, but you guys really made my life easy today. I really appreciate it.

The 27-year-old swimmer had another opportunity to increase her medal total on Thursday.

Ledecky, Claire Weinstein, Paige Madden, and Erin Gemmell represented Team USA in the 4 × 200m freestyle relay, finishing second behind Australia.

Ledecky became the most decorated American woman in Olympic history and the most decorated woman of any nation in swimming history with the team’s victory, which brought her 13 medals overall. She is only ahead of Michael Phelps, who has 28 medals.

Ledecky has one more chance to increase her medal total as swimming draws to a close. On Saturday, she’ll participate in the 800m freestyle.

Ledecky intends to qualify for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, despite the fact that this is her fourth Olympics overall, in Paris.

“Yes, my statement that I would love to compete in Los Angeles hasn’t changed over the last few months or years has been consistent.”

Katie, congratulations! You are history’s greatest.

16 Celebs Who Don’t Care About “What People Say” When It Comes to Breastfeeding

Being a woman is no simple task. And if we talk about being a mother, the equation becomes twice as complicated. Among all the challenges that motherhood brings, supplying something as basic as food for the baby is at the top of the list. And to help people to not see it as something “out of place” or “wrong,” some celebrities do not hesitate to breastfeed their children in public, proudly and in full view of anyone who wants to see it.

At Bright Side, we salute celebrities who empower breastfeeding and the actions that come with it (like pumping). After all, what could be more natural and human?

1. Kourtney Kardashian

https://www.instagram.com/p/1qo_4pk1ii/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=ebf33292-28d6-47e6-b091-ed48629dee37

2. Amanda Seyfried

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1eMuhcAbDv/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=eec045b3-1290-4aa4-899f-630fa977061a

3. Gwen Stefani

https://www.instagram.com/p/q35El8OLQI/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=bdc7e50c-ac19-4d3c-b256-ab13226e1b41

4. Halsey

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSIgSeWFLdM/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=0e56f018-6633-4666-a1bf-cc303ccdb804

5. Kate Hudson

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsiUJ37AgII/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=c933b584-ef2f-4c12-9408-baa74ddbe384

6. Pink

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSzPkSElXvZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=82b6a6af-d4c6-4335-b454-3c3f2885f96a

7. Paola Mayfield

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzs-cb5AkRg/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=71d5ebe9-3202-4d55-bcbf-cc5c4e5fd3e1

8. Shay Mitchell

9. Alanis Morissette

https://www.instagram.com/p/rOgEbCOYM3/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=8206ee12-f0cc-4218-968a-59c3e4e8573c

10. Katherine Schwarzenegger

11. Chrissy Teigen

12. Amy Schumer

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxm4ScNleLP/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=fb37fcb6-684e-486c-8fde-726d2d79e3f8

13. Hilary Duff

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxLgOfuAqbe/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=f16e7664-97cb-4ec0-baa5-b6619924f87c

14. Lauren Hashian (and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson)

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj3JIWCF7Wk/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=251eee58-ff30-4d9c-9888-83580f2a7e1f

15. Heidi Montag

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjxdubjFgAo/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=46a0722e-340b-4537-9d46-2240ec5e8009

16. Troian Bellisario

https://www.instagram.com/sleepinthegardn/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=939b6798-a8f4-437e-a6c1-826280d369e5

What do you think about celebrities showing this side of motherhood? What has your experience been like feeding your baby?

Preview photo credit katehudson / Instagram, iamhalsey / Instagram