Katie Ledecky now owns the 22 fastest times in the 1500-meter freestyle. And no, that’s not a typo.
The 28-year-old clocked her second-fastest time ever in the event on the first day of the TYR Pro Swim Series in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With a time of 15:24.51, she won by nearly 40 seconds, with Jillian Cox finishing second in 16:04.13.
For context, Ledecky’s winning time at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games was 15:30.02. Her world record of 15:20.48 was set back in 2018, also at a TYR Pro Swim Series meet in Indianapolis. The second-fastest performer in history is retired Danish swimmer Lotte Friis, who swam a 15:38.88 to win silver behind Ledecky at the 2013 World Championships. Ledecky’s 22nd-fastest time is 15:38.81.
To put her dominance in perspective: the last time Ledecky lost a 1500 freestyle race was in 2010, when she was just 13 years old. She lost to 17-year-old Kaitlin Pawlowicz at the Potomac Valley Championships in Maryland.
Ledecky’s Background And Career Highlights
With 14 Olympic medals, including nine gold, Katie Ledecky is the fifth-most decorated athlete in Olympic history. She made her Olympic debut at age 15 at the 2012 London Games, where she won gold in the 800-meter freestyle.
Following the 2024 Paris Olympics, Ledecky became the most decorated female swimmer in Olympic history. She also tied Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina for the most Olympic gold medals won by a woman in any sport. In addition, Ledecky holds the record for the most individual swimming world championship titles.
Born in Maryland, Ledecky began swimming at age 6. Her older brother was also a swimmer, and her mother swam for the University of New Mexico.
Ledecky competed for Stanford University for two years and is an eight-time NCAA champion. She still holds collegiate records in the 500 free (4:24.06), 1000 free (9:06.90) and 1650 free (15:03.31).
Ledecky also still holds the world record in the 800-meter freestyle. Her time of 8:04.79, set at the 2016 Rio Games, remains untouched. She is the second swimmer—after Michael Phelps—to win the same individual event at four consecutive Olympic Games, having claimed gold in the 800 free in 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024.
Over the course of her career, Ledecky has earned numerous honors. Most recently, in 2024, she became the first swimmer ever to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She also served as Team USA’s Closing Ceremony flag bearer at the Paris 2024 Games.
What’s Up Ahead For Ledecky?
Ledecky is scheduled to swim the 200, 400 and 800 freestyle events at the 2025 TYR Pro Swim Series. The meet, held at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center, continues over the next few days and wraps up on Saturday, May 3.
Bobby Finke, Ledecky’s training partner and the world record holder in the men’s 1500 freestyle, also won the event at the series with a time of 14:54.49. Ledecky’s time would have been fast enough to place third in the men’s race, finishing just ahead of Juan Vallmitjana, who touched in 15:24.55.
Ledecky has expressed her intention to compete at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Swimming events in 2028 will take place inside SoFi Stadium—home to the NFL’s Rams and Chargers—which will become the largest swimming venue in Olympic history.
