The United States has been lucky enough to witness some of the greatest Olympians of all time. Greg Louganis, Jesse Owens, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Mark Spitz are just a few of the notable names to don the red, white and blue. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, we may be watching the greatest Olympian ever, and the next greatest as well.
Those two go by the names of Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky.
Phelps, who was the flag-bearer for the United States this year, has only cemented his place as the greatest swimmer of all-time in 2016. He has been an Olympic swimmer since the 2000 Games in Sydney, and over the course of those five Olympic Games he has amassed an astounding 22 gold medals. His 22nd gold medal was his 13th individual gold, which broke a 2,160 year record. Leonidas of Rhodes, a runner who competed from 164 to 152 BC, held the previous record of 12 individual gold medals.
Although his career has come with some controversy, there is no debating that Phelps is the greatest United States Olympian of all-time. His 22 gold medals, and 27 overall, are just a testament to the dominance he has shown in the pool. No matter the event, or the year, Phelps seemingly always finds his way on to the podium, and usually on top. It is an understatement to say that he is the most decorated Olympian of all-time, regardless of country.
With the Phelps era coming to an end (barring another comeback), he is passing the torch to Katie Ledecky as the most dominant swimmer in the world.
Ledecky, 19, is a native of Washington, D.C., and resides in Bethesda, Maryland, the same state where Phelps grew up. She is committed to Stanford, however she is already a two-time Olympian, five-time Olympic gold medalist and has also added a silver medal.
In the 2012 London Olympics, Ledecky won the 800 meter freestyle. In Rio, Ledecky not only won the 800 again, but she blew away the competition. In her Friday night swim she won by over 11 seconds, an unprecedented number in the pool. Her time of 8:04.79 shattered a world record, previously held by herself. She has now broken her own world record six times in the event, and her time in Rio was nearly ten seconds faster than her winning time in London.
Outside of the 800, Ledecky has had a successful 2016 Olympics in a handful of other events. She won gold in the 200 and 400 meter freestyle, along with the 4x200 meter freestyle relay. Another silver medal was added to her collection in the 4x100 meter freestyle relay. At just 19, her medal count has the possibility to expand to Phelps-like numbers.
Phelps has brought us excitement, winning so many Olympic races in the waning moments of the swim. He has been the hero that our country has looked to every four summers. Ledecky has a different style of dominance, usually showing a reserved personality, winning with ease and grace. The two are the most dominant swimmers in the world, one 19, the other 31. Phelps has impressed in each Olympics, and is showing he still has it at an advanced age. Ledecky has dazzled the world in two Olympic appearances by the age of 19, and we can hope she continues to swim as long as Phelps has. The domination of the two is a testament to how impressive the USA Swimming program is, and it will be no surprise if more swimmers like these two follow in years to come.
Although their styles may differ, they both are Americans, and two individuals that we should celebrate, appreciate and love.
