Paris 2024 Olympics: Katie Ledecky: USA's freestyle swimming queen reveals secret to her longevity

Katie Ledecky enjoys pushing the boundaries of her capabilities, and that, according to the swimmer herself, is the secret behind her consistency.

Having won the women’s 800 freestyle title as a 15-year-old at London 2012, the US star has the opportunity to win the same discipline at four consecutive Olympic Games at Paris 2024.

The only other swimmer to achieve this is Michael Phelps, who landed the men’s 200 IM title in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016.

"I feel like I enjoy this more and more each year and I pride myself on that consistency, I challenge myself to stay consistent," Ledecky said at the pre-US Olympic Trials press conference.

“I’ve got great people around me that help me keep striving towards new goals and I’m still so excited about the sport.

“Ever since I made it to London [2012 Olympics], I never thought I’d make it there. I didn’t dream of that as a young kid. (After London) I wanted to prove I wasn’t a one-hit wonder. But at the same time I reminded myself that anything more than that is icing on the cake, cherry on the cake, whatever. That’s just the perspective that I’ve been able to maintain.”

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After bursting onto the international scene in 2012, Ledecky was unstoppable at Rio 2016, securing golds in the 200, 400 and 800 free, the 4x200 free relay, and a silver in the 4x100 free relay.

At Tokyo 2020, she won the 800 and 1500 free titles, was pipped to silver by Ariarne Titmus in the 400 free, and helped Team USA to silver in the women’s 4x200 free relay.

Ledecky, still only 27, is anything but slowing down. She made history in June this year by becoming the first woman to win four titles at a single US Olympic swim trials.

"It's time to get back to work. Got to get ready for Paris", Ledecky tellingly remarked after that achievement. Always humble, and always looking towards the next goal.

As it stands, the seven-time Olympic gold medallist will line up in the 400 free, 800 free, 1500 free, and the 4x200 relay events, and has also been selected as USA Swimming team captain in the French capital.

Katie Ledecky's outstanding 800 freestyle record

There are very few clear cut favourites for the blue-riband events in swimming at Paris 2024, such is the level of competition.

However, the women’s 800 free is an exception. As a returning three-time champion, who also boasts six world titles in the event, Ledecky is the stand-out athlete.

She currently owns the 29 fastest performances in history and her World Record sits 8.5 seconds clear of the second-fastest performer.

The only recent blip on that record came in March this year. Ledecky lost an 800 free race for the first time in more than a decade when Summer McIntosh clinched victory in Orlando. However, the Canadian teenager, who became the second-fastest swimmer ever in the event, will not compete in the event at Paris 2024 in order to concentrate on her other events.

Despite having set the the world’s quickest time in the event this year, Ledecky keeps close tabs on her competition and was very aware that she was slightly slower than Titmus at their respective Trials.

“I’m a student of the sport, I keep track of what’s going on around the world. I know what everyone’s doing and I’m excited to race everyone,” Ledeckly, who was visibly frustrated with her pace, told reporters after.

Referring to the potential 400 free final to come, she said: “What Ariarne and Summer have done is amazing, and Paige (Madden) is doing really well so it’s going to be a really fast field and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Paris 2024 rivalry with Ariarne Titmus

Momentum is often a crucial factor in sport, and Titmus has an advantage in that she could go into their 800 free showdown having won several gold medals already.

The Australian is the World Record holder and favourite for gold in the 200 and 400 free, while the Dolphins will also be difficult to beat in the 4x200 free relay.

On the subject of relays, Ledecky’s victory in the 200 free at trials ensures she will be on the 4x200 team at the Olympics. After anchoring a gold medal-winning team in 2016 and posting the fastest split of any swimmer in the final in Tokyo as the US finished second, her experience will prove crucial.

“I’m always excited for that relay,” Ledecky said. “That’s something that always fires me up. That’s why I keep swimming the 200.

“I want to be ready in that relay to push the other girls individually to try to get our team back on top there. We want to put up a great showing. We have such a great history in that relay. We’re very motivated to do really well there.”

Heading into her fourth Olympics in the punishing world of swimming, Ledecky is hungrier than ever for success.

And that is why she is on the verge of going where no other female swimmer has ever gone before, at Paris 2024.