Katie Ledecky reflects on Games, says she ‘never would have imagined’ her Olympic swimming success

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Along with her Tokyo Olympics drawn to an in depth, American swimmer Katie Ledecky can begin to unwind.”I did have a hamburger after I used to be executed — that tasted good,” she says a few celebratory meal that was greater than deserved.Ledecky received 1500m and 800m freestyle golds in Tokyo and silvers within the 400m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay, reaffirmed her standing as a novel athlete who is ready to compete over brief and lengthy distance occasions. She has now received 10 medals throughout three Olympic Video games.It wasn’t all smooth-sailing in Tokyo, nevertheless, as 24-year-old Ledecky confronted stern competitors from Australia’s double Olympic gold medalist Ariarne Titmus and completed fifth within the 200m free.However after the challenges of the previous 18 months, which incorporates lengthy intervals away from her household and being compelled to coach in a yard pool on the top of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ledecky is now in a position to mirror on every thing she’s achieved.”(The medals) simply signify numerous exhausting work, not only for me, however for my household, my associates, my coaches, my teammates, simply everybody that is been part of this journey, not simply the previous 5 years, however my complete swimming profession,” Ledecky tells CNN.”And it is a tremendous feeling to be bringing residence two golds and two silvers right here and competing in my third Olympics. That is one thing I by no means would have imagined after I first began swimming.”Chatting with reporters following her 1500m victory final week, Ledecky acknowledged the strain that comes with being one of many Olympics’ high-profile athletes, a time when “everybody all over the world is watching” and “the cameras observe you round.”It is a topic that has been on the forefront of those Video games following Simone Biles’ withdrawal from gymnastics occasions to guard her psychological well being. Associated video: U.S. Olympic athletes focus on psychological well being challengesLedecky, who received her first gold medal as a 15-year-old in 2012, isn’t any stranger to the burden of public expectation; over time, she says she’s discovered methods to handle it.”I feel I’ve gained perspective over time and have stayed true to my very own objectives,” she says.”I am very grateful for my household, my associates, my coaches, and all my teammates who’ve helped me hold issues in perspective and helped me hold a balanced life.”Swimming just isn’t the one factor that I take pleasure in doing. I am keen about different issues as properly. So I am actually comfortable that I simply completed my diploma at Stanford and simply had a good time there,” added Ledecky, who studied psychology.”There’s a lot extra to life than swimming and the Olympics, and the individuals round me remind me of that.”Protocols on the Tokyo Olympics insist that athletes should depart Japan 48 hours after they’ve completed competing.It means Ledecky’s Video games are delivered to one thing of an abrupt finish in comparison with earlier events, though she’s wanting ahead to leaving Tokyo with extra than simply one other 4 medals so as to add to her assortment.”It is a actually particular time between the Olympic trials and the Olympics the place you are along with your teammates for about 5 weeks coaching and experiencing this,” she says.”It is enjoyable to spend all this time collectively. After which it is exhausting after we all have to go away and go our separate methods.”I do know I am simply going to be sharing tons and tons of tales with my household and associates from this complete journey and expertise … I am simply actually excited to get residence and provides them an enormous hug.”

Along with her Tokyo Olympics drawn to an in depth, American swimmer Katie Ledecky can begin to unwind.

“I did have a hamburger after I used to be executed — that tasted good,” she says a few celebratory meal that was greater than deserved.

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Ledecky received 1500m and 800m freestyle golds in Tokyo and silvers within the 400m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay, reaffirmed her standing as a novel athlete who is ready to compete over brief and lengthy distance occasions. She has now received 10 medals throughout three Olympic Video games.

It wasn’t all smooth-sailing in Tokyo, nevertheless, as 24-year-old Ledecky confronted stern competitors from Australia’s double Olympic gold medalist Ariarne Titmus and completed fifth within the 200m free.

However after the challenges of the previous 18 months, which incorporates lengthy intervals away from her household and being compelled to coach in a yard pool on the top of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ledecky is now in a position to mirror on every thing she’s achieved.

“(The medals) simply signify numerous exhausting work, not only for me, however for my household, my associates, my coaches, my teammates, simply everybody that is been part of this journey, not simply the previous 5 years, however my complete swimming profession,” Ledecky tells CNN.

“And it is a tremendous feeling to be bringing residence two golds and two silvers right here and competing in my third Olympics. That is one thing I by no means would have imagined after I first began swimming.”

Chatting with reporters following her 1500m victory final week, Ledecky acknowledged the strain that comes with being one of many Olympics’ high-profile athletes, a time when “everybody all over the world is watching” and “the cameras observe you round.”

It is a topic that has been on the forefront of those Video games following Simone Biles’ withdrawal from gymnastics occasions to guard her psychological well being.

Associated video: U.S. Olympic athletes focus on psychological well being challenges

Ledecky, who received her first gold medal as a 15-year-old in 2012, isn’t any stranger to the burden of public expectation; over time, she says she’s discovered methods to handle it.

“I feel I’ve gained perspective over time and have stayed true to my very own objectives,” she says.

“I am very grateful for my household, my associates, my coaches, and all my teammates who’ve helped me hold issues in perspective and helped me hold a balanced life.

“Swimming just isn’t the one factor that I take pleasure in doing. I am keen about different issues as properly. So I am actually comfortable that I simply completed my diploma at Stanford and simply had a good time there,” added Ledecky, who studied psychology.

“There’s a lot extra to life than swimming and the Olympics, and the individuals round me remind me of that.”

Protocols on the Tokyo Olympics insist that athletes should depart Japan 48 hours after they’ve completed competing.

It means Ledecky’s Video games are delivered to one thing of an abrupt finish in comparison with earlier events, though she’s wanting ahead to leaving Tokyo with extra than simply one other 4 medals so as to add to her assortment.

“It is a actually particular time between the Olympic trials and the Olympics the place you are along with your teammates for about 5 weeks coaching and experiencing this,” she says.

“It is enjoyable to spend all this time collectively. After which it is exhausting after we all have to go away and go our separate methods.

“I do know I am simply going to be sharing tons and tons of tales with my household and associates from this complete journey and expertise … I am simply actually excited to get residence and provides them an enormous hug.”

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