15 year-old Katie Ledecky will be headed to the 2012 London Olympics with a win in the 800 Freestyle, making her the youngest member of the U.S. swim team, reports the Associated Press.
Breaking the trials record of 8:20.81 set by swimmer Katie Hoff four years ago, Ledecky came in at 8:18.78 in the 800 freestyle and officially earned herself a trip to London to represent her country in the summer games.
“I had a lot of confidence going into that race,” Ledecky said.
“I went out with it and I just kept trying to hold on to it,” she said, keeping count of the remaining laps quietly in her head.
“I never told myself I had it. I just kept trying to hold the same pace I was holding. I tried to pick it up a little bit and just try to push through.”
According to Yahoo , the 15 year-old girl, still stunned by her accomplishments, looks back 4 years ago realizing something like that was never even on her radar as it seemed to be an unrealistic achievement. However, through her hard work at the Curl-Burke Swim Club in the Washington, D.C. area, that dream has become a reality.
“It’s just unbelievable to think back at where I was and to think about the work I’ve put in these last couple months,” she said.
“Four years ago I never knew how to qualify for Olympic trials. I thought it was this unreal thing.”
What do you think of 15 year-old Katie Ledecky claiming 1st place in the Olympic trials and becoming the youngest member on the U.S. swim team?
