Swimmer, non swimmer, boy, girl, distancer, sprinter– no matter who you are, you know who Katie Ledecky <\/strong>is. And if you don’t, you will. The 18-year-old phenom is making herself a household name across the country, winning nothing but gold since her world debut at the London Olympic Games in 2012. Ledecky’s sheer athleticism is paralleled by only her laid back demeanor and modesty.<\/p>\n

It’s hard to argue that she is undoubtedly currently the world’s greatest swimmer, and if for some reason you need more convincing, here are but a few reasons you should hop on the Ledecky bandwagon and pay attention now that we’re one year out from Rio:<\/p>\n

1. In one of the most exciting years in Olympic swimming history, in her first international competition ever, in the only event she was qualified to swim in, 15-year-old Katie Ledecky easily won gold in the 800 freestyle, breaking Janet Evans’<\/strong> 23-year-old American record, breezing past the rest of the competition by 4 seconds, and narrowly missing a world record by .53 in 2012.<\/p>\n

2. When interviewed about aforementioned breakout swim, Ledecky merely said \u201cI knew if I put my mind to it, I could do it.\u201d My 16-year-old self, watching from the comfort of my couch, contemplated quitting the sport on the spot because of how unimpressive I was in comparison.<\/p>\n

3. ONE YEAR later, Ledecky comes back at World Championships and wins the 400, 800 and 1500, setting an American record in the 400 and world record in the 800 and 1500.<\/p>\n

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Photo Courtesy: Joao Marc Bosch<\/p><\/div>\n
4. Fast forward to 2014, Ledecky breaks her own world records IN SEASON in the 800 and 1500 at the Woodlands Swim Team Senior Invite. Ill be honest. I’ve never heard of this meet, and chances are, you haven’t either. IN. SEASON.<\/p>\n
5. Later in 2014, Ledecky wins the 200, 400 and 800 at the U.S. National Championships setting her THIRD world record of the year in the 400 free.<\/p>\n
6. The world record in the 400 free made Ledecky the first woman since Janet Evans to simultaneously hold world records in the 400, 800 and 1500. Meanwhile at practice, I was whining about doing a set called “Janet Evans” that probably pales to what she did to prepare for these meets.<\/p>\n
7. 2014 Pan Pacific Championships. Complete domination. Five gold medals, two world records. First woman ever<\/em> to win four golds at a Pan Pacific Championships. Casual.<\/p>\n
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Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr<\/p><\/div>\n
8. And now we’re here. 2015 World Championships.<\/strong> Katie Ledecky ACCIDENTALLY breaks her own WORLD RECORD in PRELIMS.<\/p>\n
9. ACCIDENTALLY. Don’t you hate when that happens?<\/p>\n
10. To make matters worse, she lowered the record again (more or less on purpose this time) in finals the next day. I texted my coach and told him my new strategy was to no longer try. Apparently it only works for Olympians? Sure, coach, sure.<\/p>\n
11. In case the 1500 wasn’t enough, Ledecky also set a world record on the LAST DAY of Worlds in the 800 and won gold in those two events as well as the 200, 400 and 4×200 free relay.<\/p>\n
$\"FINA$ <\/a>
Photo Courtesy: R-Sport \/ MIA Rossiya Segodnya<\/p><\/div>\n
12. The day Ledecky was supposed to rest at Worlds, she contacted the USA Swimming Director of Communications, Scott Leightman<\/strong>, and asked if he needed her for any appearances because she was coming to the stadium to cheer for her teammates. Who needs sleep when you’re the greatest of all time, right?<\/p>\n
13. She’s already faster than Mark Spitz<\/strong> ever was in distances over the 400. His old world record of 4:07.7 is bested by Ledecky\u2019s mark of 3:58.37.<\/p>\n
14. Ledecky matched Michael Phelps<\/b>\u2019 400 freestyle time in a preliminary race in April and her 1500 time is only slower than 80 male swimmers in the world.<\/p>\n
15. If Katie Ledecky existed in 1961, she would be the fastest human being in water in the entire history of the Earth. WHAT.<\/p>\n
16. Her Instagram caption after the meet was over? \u201cThat was fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
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That was fun. Thanks @usaswimming for a great World Championships. Honored to be a member of the best team in the world! #USA<\/a><\/p>\n
A photo posted by Katie Ledecky (@kledecky) on Aug 9, 2015 at 1:16pm PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n