Once again, the USA stands tall on the Olympic stage, thanks to the unparalleled Katie Ledecky. The swimming sensation first captured our hearts as a 15-year-old at the 2012 London Games, clinching her first gold medal. Fast forward 12 years, and Ledecky has added another gold to her collection to become the most decorated US Female Olympian. It’s no wonder Magic Johnson couldn’t resist crowning her as the “GOAT” after her historic feat.

Following this monumental victory, Magic Johnson took to X to heap praise on Ledecky. He wrote, “Katie Ledecky continues to prove why she’s the goat of swimming! The most decorated female Olympian just became the 6th person ever to win 4 consecutive gold medals in the same event in the 800m freestyle,” accompanied by a goat and a no.1 medal emoji.

Ledecky’s performance at the Paris Olympics has been nothing short of spectacular. Alongside her historic 800m freestyle gold, she has already secured an additional gold, one silver, and a bronze for her country. Bringing her gold tally to a nine, Ledecky joins Michael Phelps as only the second swimmer to win four consecutive gold in the same event and only the 7th overall.

Magic Johnson’s GOAT: Katie Ledecky, the most decorated female Olympic swimmer

After her historic feat at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Katie Ledecky has become the most decorated female Olympic swimmer as well as the most decorated USA female athlete in Olympic history with 14 medals. She began her Olympic journey at the 2012 London Games as the youngest member of the USA Olympic swimming team, where she won her first gold in the 800m freestyle by defeating Spain’s Mireia Belmonte.

“Four times is the one that means the most to me,” Ledecky made her pick among the host of records she had made today. It was on August 3rd, 12 years ago that the now-27-year-old secured her first gold in the event. 8:14.63 on the clock and she had become youngest American gold medalist in swimming since 1988. “I felt like I put a lot of pressure on myself, but I’m just really happy that I could get the job done,” she expressed post her win via Team USA.

A veteran of so many years, Ledecky happened to compete against and with swimmers who grew up watching her, admiring her.“I feel very honored and privileged to be her rival,” Ariarne Titmus of Australia, who competed against her in 800m admitted. And she wasn’t the only one. Paige Madden who was Ledecky’s teammate in the 4X200 freestyle on two Olympic occasions, also shared the sentiment. She says the 27-year-old “has definitely rewritten distance freestyle and swimming in general.”

At the Paris Olympics, Magic Johnson’s USA is currently leading the medal chart with 61 Olympic medals and holds the second spot in gold, trailing by only two.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.