Katie Ledecky: Enjoyment key to Tokyo 2020 Olympic victories
The seven-time Olympic champion hosted an online workshop with Japanese students in conjunction with Panasonic, where she highlighted how sport can improve society, why there is more to life than winning, and more.
Swimming
Katie Ledecky has revealed that victory in the swimming pool was far from her only goal in the run up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021.
The American won two gold medals in Japan to confirm her status as the most successful individual female swimmer in Olympic in history with six individual titles overall.
As such, Ledecky has become a role model for children around the world.
But underneath her breathtaking success, and the sacrifice that went into those achievements, lies enjoyment.
“Victory isn’t the only goal,” the Washington-born freestyle star told Japanese students as part of the Dive Into STEM Education Powered by Panasonic educational programme.
“Satisfaction in your work is. So I try to enjoy every day in training and all the work it takes before the race.
“It’s important to remember that whatever it is you’re passionate about, continue to have a smile and enjoy the process of trying to be a better person that you were a day before.” - Katie Ledecky
The importance of technology
Ledecky is far more than just a swimmer.
Earlier this year, the 24-year-old graduated from Stanford University with a degree in psychology. This experience, combined with her life as a professional athlete, would not have been possible if it weren’t for technology.
“It’s a building block for life,” she continued. “Science, technology, engineering, maths - those are the most crucial as so many jobs are reliant on those skills. That’s why I’m so passionate about education.
"That technology helps our sports, and helps us move through the water. We use statistics to gain an edge, which is often the difference between gold, silver and bronze.”
Lifestyle benefits of sport
Ledecky was also keen to highlight that succeeding in sport, regardless of the level of competition, can have a very positive impact on society.
Through sport, people can add to their resumes and learn new skills that can be applied to other areas of life.
“I hope that the athletes have inspired people around the world to be leaders and pursue their passions, and achieve the best results they can in whatever it is they are passionate about,” she continued.
“Sports have the power to cheer people up and increase our happiness levels.”