Katie Ledecky Shines as Team USA Secures Silver in 4x200m Relay at Paris Olympics
Katie Ledecky, the American swimming sensation, exudes triumph after clinching the silver in the women’s 1500-meter freestyle final on Wednesday at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nanterre, France. By Thursday, she added another silver to her collection, elevating her medal tally to an unprecedented thirteen, surpassing all female swimmers in Olympic history. Ashley Landis/AP
Nanterre, France — On Thursday, Team USA’s swimmers secured a solitary gold medal amidst fierce competition from emerging talents from Australia and Canada at the Paris Olympics. The evening’s most exhilarating spectacle unfolded with the Australian team, spearheaded by the remarkable Ariarne Titmus, surging past the American squad in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. The Australian women not only captured the gold but also established a new Olympic record.
Despite their relentless effort, the U.S. team never led the race. However, the indomitable Katie Ledecky, at the age of 27, played a pivotal role in maintaining proximity. Her silver medal further cements her status as the most decorated female swimmer in Olympic lore. Martin Meissner/AP
An Individual Triumph
On the same day, Kate Douglass emerged as the sole luminary for Team USA. She exhibited an awe-inspiring performance in the 200-meter breaststroke final, setting a new American record. “I am profoundly exhilarated to declare myself an individual Olympic champion,” Douglass declared post-race. “It’s truly exhilarating to secure a gold for Team USA and contribute to our medal tally.” At just 22, Douglass represents a burgeoning star on an American swimming team that has faced considerable challenges in Paris. She narrowly outpaced South Africa’s Tatjana Smith, with Tes Schouten of the Netherlands claiming the bronze.
This race marked the final Olympic appearance for Lilly King, 27, a two-time gold medalist, who finished at the rear. King has confirmed she will not vie for a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games. “Tonight is about celebrating Kate and her extraordinary achievement,” King remarked. “I was so far behind that I had to peek up to see her finish,” she added with a chuckle.
Canadian and American Highlights
Also on Thursday, Canadian star Summer McIntosh, who trains in the U.S., clinched another gold in the women’s 200-meter butterfly final. American Regan Smith secured silver. While the U.S. swimmers have garnered 20 medals in total, including four golds, the results thus far have been somewhat underwhelming. Historically, the American squad captures ten gold medals per Summer Games.
Reflecting on the remaining three days of competition, Douglass expressed confidence in the team’s resilience. “We take pride in our achievements and remain steadfast despite external criticism,” Douglass affirmed after her gold-medal-winning race.
Chinese Swimmers Amidst Controversy
On Thursday, Chinese swimmers entangled in a doping scandal garnered two bronze medals. Zhang Yufei claimed bronze in the women’s 200-meter butterfly final. Additionally, Chinese athletes previously implicated in performance-enhancing drug violations in 2021 also shared a bronze in the women’s 4×200-meter freestyle relay final. During press conferences, the Chinese athletes vehemently denied any wrongdoing, claiming they were being unfairly targeted. The World Anti-Doping Agency’s secrecy regarding positive drug test results has ignited a scandal that now includes a criminal investigation by the U.S. Justice Department.
