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Katie Ledecky becomes first woman to win 800-meter in three straight Olympics

by Jordan Williams - 07/31/21 8:09 AM ET

U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky made history Saturday by becoming the first woman to win the 800-meter freestyle for three consecutive Olympics.

Ledecky finished first with a time of 8 minutes, 12.57 seconds. Ariarne Titmus of Australia won the silver medal, while Simona Quadarella of Italy took bronze.

The 24-year-old U.S. swimmer previously took gold in the event during the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

History maker!#USA‘s Katie Ledecky becomes the first woman to win three consecutive Olympic titles in the 800m freestyle!@fina1908 #Swimming @TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/qIRi54rFsP

— Olympics (@Olympics) July 31, 2021

x3 @katieledecky x #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/4srYEO6GSn

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 31, 2021

Ledecky, a decorated athlete who was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in suburban Maryland, has won seven gold medals and three silver medals over the past three Olympics.

While in Tokyo, Ledecky won gold in the 1,500-meter freestyle race, the first time the event was introduced at the Olympics.

Ledecky also won silver medals in the 400-meter free style, finishing behind Titmus in the highly-anticipated race. She also took silver in the 4×200-meter freestyle.

After winning the 800-meter, Ledecky told NBC News that’s she wants to compete in at least the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

“That was not my last swim,” Ledecky said. “I’m at least going to [2024], maybe [2028], we’ll see,” she said.

As for men’s swimming, Caeleb Dressel of Florida won a gold medal on Saturday in the 100-meter butterfly, setting a world record by finishing in 49.45 seconds.