Katie Ledecky sets new Olympic swimming record after Team USA wins silver in 4 x 200m freestyle

On Thursday, Katie Ledecky set yet another record when the women’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay team from Team USA took home the silver medal.

With 13 medals, the 27-year-old became the most decorated female swimmer in Olympic history. Her most recent victory ended a tie she had with Dara Torres, Jenny Thompson, and swimmer Natalie Coughlin.

In the demanding 1500m freestyle on Wednesday, the Maryland native claimed her eighth gold medal and her 12th overall. Ledecky tied Thompson for the most gold medals won by a female swimmer in Olympic history when she completed the event in an Olympic record time of 15:30.02.

Ledecky told reporters that she allowed her thoughts to roam and considered all the people who had contributed to her current situation as she was swimming.

“And during the race, I kind of let my mind wander, remembering everyone who has trained with me.” Was like thinking about them and chanting their names in my brain. I love you guys, my Florida crew—all those Florida boys who challenged me every day. I know I often make your life difficult, but you guys really made my life easy today. I really appreciate it.

The 27-year-old swimmer had another opportunity to increase her medal total on Thursday.

Ledecky, Claire Weinstein, Paige Madden, and Erin Gemmell represented Team USA in the 4 × 200m freestyle relay, finishing second behind Australia.

Ledecky became the most decorated American woman in Olympic history and the most decorated woman of any nation in swimming history with the team’s victory, which brought her 13 medals overall. She is only ahead of Michael Phelps, who has 28 medals.

Ledecky has one more chance to increase her medal total as swimming draws to a close. On Saturday, she’ll participate in the 800m freestyle.

Ledecky intends to qualify for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, despite the fact that this is her fourth Olympics overall, in Paris.

“Yes, my statement that I would love to compete in Los Angeles hasn’t changed over the last few months or years has been consistent.”

Katie, congratulations! You are history’s greatest.

I sent daily letters to my son from a nursing home and heard nothing back, until a stranger arrived to take me home

After my son Tyler persuaded me to move into a nursing home, I began writing him daily letters to express how much I missed him. Despite my efforts, he never replied. Then one day, a stranger came to take me home.

When I turned 81, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, which made it difficult for me to move around without help. This made it hard for Tyler and his wife, Macy, to care for me, so they decided I should go to a nursing home. Tyler told me they couldn’t care for me because of their busy lives and insisted the house I had lived in was too large for just me.

I was heartbroken as I realized their decision was less about my care and more about wanting my house for themselves. That night, I wondered what I had done wrong. I thought I had raised a good son, but his actions felt like a betrayal. Despite my pleas, Tyler and Macy took me to a nearby nursing home, promising to visit often. I hoped that moving there might not be so bad since they would come to see me. Little did I know, Tyler was just trying to get rid of me.

Days turned into years in the nursing home. Although the staff was kind and I enjoyed chatting with other residents, I longed for my family. Without a phone or tablet, I wrote daily letters to Tyler, asking him to visit or update me, but I never received a reply.

After two long years, I lost hope that anyone would come. Each night, I prayed to return home, but I tried not to get my hopes up. One day, however, my nurse told me a man was at the desk asking for me. Excitedly, I grabbed my walker, thinking it might be Tyler.

To my surprise, the man waiting for me was someone I hadn’t seen in years. It was Ron, a childhood friend of Tyler’s who had once lived with us. He greeted me warmly and explained that he had just returned from Europe. When I told him about my situation, he looked concerned and asked me to sit down.

Ron shared that Tyler and Macy had tragically died in a house fire the previous year. He had found their house abandoned and discovered my unread letters in the mailbox. Hearing about Tyler’s death filled me with conflicting emotions; despite my anger towards him, I felt heartbroken.

Ron stayed by my side as I cried, comforting me as I mourned my son and daughter-in-law. He reminded me of how I had taken him in as a child when he was in need. Unlike Tyler, Ron had grown up poor and had lost his parents, but I had treated him like my own. Ron then offered to take me home with him. I couldn’t believe it. My own son had sent me away, and now here was Ron, who wanted to care for me. Gratefully, I accepted his offer.

That night, Ron helped me pack my belongings and took me to his new home. He had a loving family who welcomed me with open arms. In those final years, I found happiness surrounded by people who truly cared for me.

It’s important to respect your elders and recognize their sacrifices. Tyler failed to appreciate all I had done for him and chose convenience over care. Family isn’t solely defined by blood; Ron, despite not being related, remembered my kindness and chose to repay it by taking me in and caring for me.

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