All eyes will be on American swimmer Katie Ledecky at the Paris Olympics, as she has the potential to make history. Jenny Thompson, who set the record with eight gold medals and a total of twelve medals won throughout four Olympic Games from 1992 to 2004, could be surpassed by Ledecky, who now has seven gold medals and a total of ten medals.
Ledecky’s performance in Paris is expected to be thrilling and possibly historic, as she only needs two more gold medals, or three medals in total, to become the all-time women’s leader in Olympic swimming.
Her legacy began in 2012 when she won a gold medal in the 800 metres freestyle at the London Games, and she hopes to build on it as she enters her fourth Olympic Games.
Katie Ledecky’s chances to compete in the 2024 Olympics
Let’s review her odds of winning gold in each of the events she is scheduled to compete in:
- 400 metres freestyle: (20% indicated likelihood) + 400
- 800 metres freestyle: 400 (implied likelihood of 80%)
- 1500 m freestyle: 97.22% indicated probability = -3500
- *Odds not yet available* for the 4 × 200 m relay team
Katie Ledecky is a huge favourite in the 1500-metre freestyle.
As indicated by the odds, the astounding 97.22% probability of Katie Ledecky winning speaks volumes about her extraordinary dominance in the 150-metre freestyle. Her six record-breaking performances highlight her unmatched skill in this field.
At the TYR Pro Swim Series 2018, Ledecky recorded a personal best time of 15:20.48. Later, in the 2020 Tokyo Games, she set an Olympic world record with a time of 15:35.35. The 1500-metre freestyle is, without a doubt, her strongest event due to her unwavering quality and dominance.
She wowed everyone by winning gold in the 800 m and 1500 m freestyle events at the 2023 World Championships, establishing herself as the top favourite to win both championships at the future Olympics.
In the 400-metre freestyle, she won a silver medal as well. Team USA won a silver medal in the 4 x 200-metre freestyle relay. Ariarne Titmus of Australia, meanwhile, won the 400-metre freestyle and is currently a heavy favourite to win again in the Olympics (stakes: -250).