Katie Ledecky becomes most decorated female US Olympian of all time

David Close, CNN

Paris (CNN) — American superstar swimmer Katie Ledecky connected Thursday etched her sanction into nan US history books – again.

By winning a metallic badge successful nan women’s 4x200m freestyle relay, Ledecky became nan astir dressed up female US Olympian of all-time pinch 13 full medals.

Australia won nan title pinch a caller Olympic grounds clip of 7:38.08. The US squad took metallic successful a clip of 7:40.86, while China secured bronze successful 7:42.34.

The consequence came a time aft Ledecky won her first golden of nan Paris Games. Ledecky won going distant successful Wednesday’s 1,500-meter freestyle, her signature title successful which she owns nan 20 fastest times successful history.

Speaking to reporters aft Wednesday’s race, Ledecky said she doesn’t get caught up successful nan history.

“I effort not to deliberation astir history very much,” she said. “I cognize those names, those group I’m up with. They’re group I looked up to erstwhile I first started swimming. So it’s an grant to beryllium named among them. I’m grateful for them inspiring me. There are truthful galore awesome swimmers that person helped maine get to this moment.”

Ledecky had a disappointing commencement to nan Games pinch a bronze badge successful nan 400-meter freestyle, being defeated by rival Ariarne Titmus of Australia successful a highly anticipated race.

Ledecky is group to aquatics again successful nan 800m freestyle connected Saturday.

And, contempt this being her 4th Olympics, nan 27-year-old Ledecky is eyeing nan chance to turn her lead successful nan history books successful 4 years’ clip successful Los Angeles.

“Yeah, I’ve been accordant these past fewer months and these past fewer years, successful saying that I would emotion to compete successful LA, and that hasn’t changed,” she said Wednesday.

“I don’t consciousness for illustration I’m adjacent to being vanished successful this athletics yet. I’d emotion to proceed connected and conscionable seeing nan benignant of support that nan French athletes are getting here, I deliberation each nan US athletes are reasoning astir really cool that could beryllium successful Los Angeles, having nan location crowd. So, that would beryllium astonishing to compete there.”