Katie Ledecky filled with American pride after dominating gold-medal performance

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Katie Ledecky was proud to be able to represent the United States on the Olympic stage and expressed it as much after she won the 1,500-meter freestyle in dominant fashion.

Ledecky tied the Olympic record with eight gold medals and 12 medals overall as she won the race by more than 10 seconds. She set a new Olympic record time as well at 15:30.02.

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Gold Medalist Katie Ledecky of Team United States poses with the national flag of the United States following the Swimming medal ceremony after the Women’s 1500m Freestyle Final on day five of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Paris La Defense Arena on July 31, 2024 in Nanterre, France. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

She was asked about the accolades after the event.

“I’m just so honored to represent our country,” Ledecky told NBC’s Melissa Stark on Wednesday night. “Those women who have set the standard for so many years have inspired me. They inspired me when I first started swimming. Thank you to them and thank you to everyone who has supported me for all those years.”

Katie Ledecky from the USA celebrates at the award ceremony. (Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images)

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It was the second medal for Ledecky overall. She won a bronze in the 400-meter freestyle over the weekend. She could potentially break the overall mark set by Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres in the 800-meter freestyle. Thompson and Ledecky are also tied for most gold medals.

“I’m proud of the time,” Ledecky said. “I just wanted to swim a time I can feel proud and happy with. I kinda let my mind wander during the race — thinking of all the people that have trained with me. I was kinda like saying their names in my head and thinking about them.”