Who is Katie Ledecky? All Eyes on Swimming Sensation as Omaha 2016 Olympic Swimming Trials Start on June 26

Female Swimmer Has Strokes of a Man, Says Other Athletes

By Shay Parrish, CP Contributor Friday, June 24, 2016

A 19-year-old female swimmer is expected to shine at the USA's Olympic trials beginning Sunday in Omaha, Nebraska.

Katie Ledecky is a strong contender in the categories she signed up for and has been known for breaking world records one after the other. She is even considered a sure qualifier for the Rio 2016 Olympics this coming August.

World Records Set

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Ledecky is expected to again challenge her records in the 400 and 800 freestyle. She has secured 11 world records for three distances beginning in 2013. The ace swimmer is now expected to hold all world records from the 200 freestyle to the 1,500 freestyle. This feat has not been achieved since 1972 when Australian swimmer Shane Gould held every record for the freestyle category.

She got her first gold medal during the 2012 London Olympics for the 800-meter freestyle. Since then, Ledecky began breaking records in various major swimming competitions including the Pan Pacific championships.

Strong Start During Races

The secret to the success of this young athlete has been attributed to her proficiency and strong start in every race she competes in. The same report observed that she always makes sure that her first movement will give her the lead in the event.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Ledecky shared that she enjoys being in the water and training for her competition. "I hate when I have to take a week off. At the end of the season I always take a week or 10 days off or longer, and I really don't like it," she added, noting that she gets anxious when she has to rest.

Ledecky Swims Like a Man

Many male swimmers claim that the strokes of Ledecky are that of a man with her even breaking records set by male athletes. Sports Illustrated said she does not let things like this get into her head, instead, she just keeps going. "So what," the swimmer told Sports Illustrated. "I don't care. I'm not going to stop."

Catch Ledecky break records once again during the trials from June 26 to July 3 at the CenturyLink Center. You can catch the events via NBC and NBC Sports Network with live streaming on NBC Live Extra.

Below is a complete schedule of the trials as per USA Swimming: