Katie Ledecky is an American swimmer considered the greatest swimmer of all time. Ledecky shocked the world at the London Olympics when the then 15-year-old swept the competition to win the women’s 800m freestyle. Katie was so far ahead of the competition by the ¾ mark, many thought she would fade away before the end.
Ledecky’s performance in London foreshadowed his performances in the next decade. Ledecky apparently breaks records for fun, and so far has more than 35 medals in major international competitions. She already won the gold medal in the women’s 1500 freestyle and is expected to win the women’s 800 freestyle.
Katie’s mother, Mary Gen, was a champion swimmer at the University of New Mexico.
Katie was born on March 17, 1997 in Washington, DC, the daughter of Mary Gen and David Ledecky. Katie has Jewish roots on her father’s side and Irish heritage on her mother’s side.
Ledecky comes from a family of high achievers. David studied law at Harvard and Yale and practiced at Kirkland & Ellis before taking a break to support Katie’s swimming career. Mary Gen, a former Georgetown hospital administrator, was a champion swimmer at the University of New Mexico.
Mary’s father, Edward J. Hagan, was a decorated combat surgeon who served in World War II. After the war, he became president of the parks board for the city of Williston, North Dakota. During his tenure, he commissioned the construction of a municipal swimming pool, named after her.
Edward instructed all of his children to learn to swim after Mary’s older sister, then four years old, nearly drowned after falling overboard in Glacier National Park. Although naturally gifted, Mary had to work hard in the pool to succeed.
“Every set she did in practice, every race Mary Gen swam, she was just as tired as anyone,” said Mary Gen’s trainer, Rick Klatt. Sports Illustrated. “Katie is on a different level, but her mom was that kind of worker. I can remember her struggling to breathe after the races. There was never a lack of effort in any training session or meeting. She was doing it as hard as she could.”
Mary Gen was ranked in the top 20 nationally in the 200-meter freestyle during her time at the University of New Mexico. Gen and David introduced Katie and her brother Michael to swimming when the children were young. katie told him WBUR that Michael inspired his love of swimming:
“I swam with my brother in all of that and I always followed him to the pool and wanted to be in the same group as him in everything. I’ve always loved swimming with him and I think that’s how I really found my love for the sport. I think if I hadn’t had my brother swimming with me, I don’t know if he would have loved him as much as I love him and still do.”
Katie’s parents have created a non-pressure environment that has allowed Katie to thrive.
I do not understand the meaning [Katie] I don’t feel any pressure,” said David Sports Illustrated. David and Mary Gen shared credit for creating a no-pressure environment that allows Katie to thrive.
There was little to no pressure on Katie at the London Olympics, which Katie did not expect to attend. Katie’s coach, Yuri Suguiyama, had planted the idea of the Olympics in her mind, but she seemed so far-fetched that he didn’t share it with anyone except her mother.
Katie performed exceptionally well at the US Olympic trials, but even as she prepared for the 800m final in London, her parents prepared what to tell her if she didn’t medal. “It wasn’t that I didn’t believe in it, but I wanted to handle it well,” David said. Washington Post.
They agreed to congratulate her on her achievement and encourage her to return to work. Gen and David sat where Katie couldn’t see them as she walked to the starting block. “I didn’t want him to freak out,” Gen said.
With 200 meters to go, any lingering doubts about Katie’s victory had slipped from Katie and Dave’s minds. They were perhaps the only two people watching who knew Katie would make it without wilting.
Mary Gen and Dave have maintained the pressure free environment that has kept Katie grounded. “She [Katie] He doesn’t think in terms of being the best in the sport,” David said. Sports Illustrated.
Almost 10 years after Katie’s exploits in London, Mary and David are still in awe of Katie’s exploits. “I don’t know how she does it,” Gen said. Fashion. “Me neither,” David added.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn