Katie Ledecky Finishes Olympic Run by Smashing World Record in 800-Meter Freestyle

Katie Ledecky, the 19-year-old swimmer representing Team USA and Bethesda, Maryland, resident, has forever solidified her place in Olympic history by winning a fourth gold medal to finish her journey in Rio and breaking her own world record Friday in the women's 800-meter freestyle.

Ledecky finished 11.38 seconds ahead of the silver medalist from Britain, Jazz Carlin, and Carlin was just two-tenths of a second better than the bronze medalist from Hungary, Boglarka Kapas. Ledecky made her Olympic debut in London in 2012, winning the gold in the 800-meter freestyle when she was just 15.

Ledecky said she knew right from the start that she had the time she wanted. "It felt good the whole way through," she said. "I could feel that it's faster than any other swim I've had in that event."

Ledecky's finish showed her dominance in the sport. She finished 11 seconds ahead of the silver medalist, forcing camera screens to zoom out and show just where she stood in relation to those competing with her.

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»Katie Ledecky photo courtesy of Team USA