Katie Ledecky awarded U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, nation's highest civilian honour
Olympic champion swimmer Katie Ledecky has been awarded the highest civilian honour in the U.S., the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Ledecky, a seven-time gold medallist, was one of 19 honourees to be awarded by President Joe Biden in a ceremony at the White House on Friday (3 May).
Ledecky was honoured alongside Rep. Nancy Pelosi, former Vice President turned climate activist Al Gore, actress Michelle Yeoh - an IOC member - among others.
Fellow American Olympic champ Simone Biles has been awarded the same honour by President Biden during his time in office, too. Ledecky becomes the second-youngest athlete to receive the award behind Biles.
Jim Thorpe, the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal was also honoured post-humously. He captured gold in the decathlon and pentathlon at Stockholm 1912 and died in 1953 at age 65.
