August, 2024 – Katie Ledecky (1997 -) competing in her 4th Olympic Games has won 9 Gold Medals and 21 World Championships. With a total of 50 medals along with 16 world records in major international competition, she is generally regarded as the greatest female swimmer of all time.
Born in Washington, DC, but raised in Bethesda, Ledecky began swimming at six with encouragement from her brother and her mother who was a swimmer for the University of New Mexico. In high school, she was setting national records in the 500 meter and 200 meter freestyle races.
Prior to 2012, Ledecky trained and competed at the Palisades Swim and Tennis Club in Cabin John, MD. During 2012, she trained at the National Capital Swim Club and won her first Olympic Gold Medal in the 800 meter freestyle at 15 as the youngest competitor at the games. She has dominated the international competition for the last 12 years, especially the longer races up to 1500 meters.
Ledecky has been honored with numerous awards, including the sponsorship of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise with gymnast Simone Biles in 2017 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, presented to her by President Joe Biden in 2024.
For more info: Palisades Swim and Tennis Club www.palisadespool.com
August 13, 2016 – Michael Phelps (1985 -) wins his 23rd Gold Medal and 28th Medal overall at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
Competing in five Olympics (2000-20016) with several world records, he is hailed as the best swimmer in the history of the games.
Born in Baltimore, at the age of seven Phelps began swimming because is mother wanted him to learn. He fell in love with swimming and at ten, he held the national record for his age group in the 100 meter Butterfly Race.
He began training at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club with coach Bob Bowman. The coach reminded Phelps of a drill sergeant, but sticking to Bowman’s disciplined and regimented approach was the “smartest thing I (Phelps) have ever done.”
Phelps qualified for the 2000 Olympic Games at age 15, the youngest competitor in 68 years. Although he didn’t win a medal that year, Phelps went on to dominate the World Championships and Olympics for the next 16 years.
In retirement, Michael Phelps has used his foundation to support the sport of swimming and healthy lifestyles as well as the diagnosis of mental health issues.
