Katie Ledecky, Michael Phelps Crowned Female and Male Athletes of the Olympic Games

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Photo Courtesy: Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports

The Team USA Awards presented by Dow, Best of the Games, kicked off today at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Athletes from a wide variety of sports were on hand for a walk down the red carpet with three-time Olympic swimmers Elizabeth Beisel and Allison Schmitt playing host. The dynamic duo grabbed as many Olympic and Paralympic athletes as they could for fun, quick interviews.

Awards for the following categories were announced:

Female Athlete of the Olympic Games
Male Athlete of the Olympic Games
Team of the Olympic Games
Female Athlete of the Paralympic Games
Male Athlete of the Paralympic Games
Team of the Paralympic Games
Coach of the Games
Building Dreams Award

Katie Ledecky was named Female Athlete of the Olympic Games after her dominating performances in Rio. Ledecky became the second person in history to sweep the 200-400-800 freestyles, while posting new World Records in both the 800 and 1500. Additionally, the distance queen showed some versatility on the first day of competition when she anchored Team USA to a silver medal in the 4×100 freestyle relay.

Michael Phelps earned the Male Athlete of the Olympic Games award as he continued to solidify his position as the Greatest Olympic Athlete of All time in Rio. Phelps added five gold medals and one silver to his medal collection bringing the total number of medals in his collection to an astonishing 23 gold and 28 total Olympic medals. While in Rio Phelps became the first Olympic swimmer to win an event four-peat an event winning the 200 Individual Medley at the 2004-2008-2012-2016 Olympic Games, and was part of a historic three-way tie for silver in the men’s 100 fly with South Africa’s Chad le Clos and Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh.

Gymnastics’ “Final Five” won the Olympic Team of the Games. The group defended their team title from 2012 and won by a historic margin of more than eight points. The U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team was named the Paralympic Team of the Games after winning the squad’s first gold.

Paralympic Track and Field’s Tatyana McFadden was crowned Female Athlete of the Paralympic Games after her impressive performance in Rio. McFadden took home medals in all six of her individual events (4 gold and 2 silver). She finished first in the 400-800-1500-5000 meter races and was second in the 100 and marathon. Brad Snyder was named the Male Athlete of the Paralympic Games. His meet was highlighted by breaking a 30 year old world record on his way to gold in the 100 freestyle. In addition to defending his title in that event, he also defended his Paralympic title in the 400 freestyle. Snyder left Rio with three golds and a tie for a silver medal.

Adam Krikorian was crowned Coach of the Games after his success leading the USA women’s water polo team to their second consecutive gold medal performance. The win was a special moment for Coach Krikorian as he had to fly back home for a death in the family during the first few days of the Olympic Games. After the women were presented with their gold medals the women dedicated their win to Coach Krikorian and his late brother.

North Baltimore Aquatic Club was presented with the Building Dreams Award. This summer NBAC had five swimmers on the US Olympic Team. Longtime coach Bob Bowman led the group into Rio. At the Paralympic Games, the team’s Jessica Long and Becca Meyers each took home a number of medals as well.

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