On Friday night at the White House, Katie Ledecky was honored by President Joe Biden when he placed the Presidential Medal of Freedom around her neck.
President Biden praised the 27-year-old freestyler as perhaps the greatest female swimmer, a compliment that resonates with the 81-year-old US president.
“You shouldn't let age get in the way,” Biden said. “Katie, age is just a number, kid.”
Katie's reaction? “I was speechless.”
“It was pretty surreal,” Ledecky said. Sports Illustrated said of Friday night in Washington, D.C., “It was pretty inspiring just hearing all the accomplishments and impact that all of these guys have had on our country. They're still so young. I think it really motivates me to keep working.''It's hard, both in the pool and outside. ”
Image source: U.S. Olympic gold medal swimmer Katie Ledecky arrives at the White House on the night of the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Ledecky, who was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up just a few miles from the capital, Bethesda, Maryland, is joined by 18 other candidates, including former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Prominent groups also participated. , actor Michelle Yeoh, and the late civil rights icon Medgar Evers.
Folks, it is my honor to join you this afternoon at the White House to introduce you to the 19 outstanding Americans who will receive our nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. pic.twitter.com/hkzP3ng5BU
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 3, 2024
“Having grown up in this area, I know what a great honor this is,” Ledecky told The Washington Post. “I feel very connected to this area. I know this is a national award, but it feels almost local to me. I have to go home for a few days for this. No, this is my community.”
Image source: Katie Ledecky wins gold in the 800m freestyle at the 2012 London Olympics (Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Ledecky broke into international sports at the age of 15 at the 2012 London Olympics, winning gold in the women's 800-meter freestyle. Ledecky, who is the current world record holder for the 800m and 1500m in the 50m pool and 25m pool, is currently training with coach Anthony Nesti in Florida to represent the United States in her fourth Olympics. It is. Paris 2024.
Image source: Katie Ledecky signs autographs at a swim meet in San Antonia, Texas, April 2024 (Sarah Steer/Getty Images)
“I want to represent my team in the pool and help the young players that are going to be on these teams feel comfortable and confident. I'm really looking forward to this summer,” Ledecky told Sports Illustrated. Told. “(I'm) continuing to try. I swam this morning.”
Ledecky is the first swimmer to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but don't expect that to bother her the next time she meets fellow Maryland native Michael Phelps.
“He still has a lot more (Olympic) medals than I do,” Ledecky said.
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