Katie Ledecky, born on March 17, 1997, in Washington, D.C., is an American competitive swimmer and one of the most decorated Olympians of all time. She burst onto the world stage at just 15 years old during the 2012 London Olympics, where she stunned the world by winning gold in the 800m freestyle. Since then, she has dominated freestyle swimming across multiple distances, earning 7 Olympic gold medals, 3 Olympic silvers, and more than 20 World Championship titles. Her incredible technique, stamina, and ability to maintain pace over long distances have set her apart as a once-in-a-generation athlete.