OlympicTalk · Aug 8, 2015
Katie Ledecky completes unprecedented World Championships sweep
Getty ImagesOn Aug. 8, 2011, a high school freshman named Katie Ledecky won the U.S. Junior Championship in the 800m freestyle in 8:36.05, knocking 7.45 seconds off her personal best.
Ledecky, then 14, would rank No. 55 in the world in the 800m free for 2011. The time was very impressive, but she was not on the radar for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team just yet.
She made the U.S. Olympic team 11 months later. Then, on Aug. 3, 2012, Ledecky swam in the Olympic 800m free final and clocked the fastest time in the world for the year, an 8:14.63 to beat British champion Rebecca Adlington for gold in London.