Katie Ledecky, one of the most accomplished swimmers in Olympic history, arrived at the Paris Olympics as a seasoned veteran with an illustrious career. Competing in her fourth Olympic Games, the Washington, D.C. native has earned immense respect and admiration on the international stage.
In a moment of great honor, Ledecky was recently named one of the flag bearers for the Closing Ceremony at the Paris Olympics, a prestigious role she will share with rower Nick Mead.
The news was delivered to Ledecky by her teammate, Bobby Finke, who surprised her with a FaceTime call. As Finke shared the announcement, Ledecky was overwhelmed with emotion and couldn’t hold back her tears.
At the time, Ledecky was strolling along the Seine River in Paris when the call came through, stopping her in her tracks as she absorbed the significance of the moment.
“I’m here at open water, and you’re making me cry,” Ledecky responded to Finke, her voice filled with emotion.
Turning to the camera, Ledecky expressed her deep gratitude and pride in representing Team USA. “Thank you, Team USA,” she said. “This is a huge honor. I can’t wait for the Closing Ceremony. It’s been an incredible experience representing our country here in Paris, and I’m so proud to be part of this team.”
Ledecky’s legacy in the Olympics is nothing short of remarkable. Heading into the Paris Games, she already held 10 Olympic medals, seven of which were gold, making her the most decorated U.S. female Olympian in history. In Paris, she added four more medals to her collection: gold in the 1500-meter freestyle and the 800-meter freestyle, silver in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, and bronze in the 400-meter freestyle.
As she prepares to lead the United States at the Closing Ceremony, Katie Ledecky will not only carry the flag but also showcase the medals she earned in Paris, further cementing her status as one of the greatest Olympians of all time.
An emotional Katie Ledecky finds out from her fellow Olympic gold medalist Bobby Finke that she'll be the flag bearer for the USA at the closing ceremony 🥹
(via @TeamUSA)pic.twitter.com/lKIytxhUV1 https://t.co/27dEPKfxTn
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 8, 2024
