Katie Ledecky broke another record on Thursday after Team USA won a silver medal in the women’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay.
The 27-year-old is now the most decorated woman in Olympic swimming history with 13 medals. This latest win broke her tie with swimmers Natalie Coughlin, Jenny Thompson, and Dara Torres.
The Maryland native won her eighth gold and 12th overall medal on Wednesday in the 1500m freestyle. She finished the race in record time – 15:30.02 – tying Thompson for the most gold medals by any female swimmer in Olympic history.
While swimming, Ledecky told reporters she let her mind wander and thought about everyone who helped her get to where she is today.
“And I kind of let my mind wander during the race, thinking of all the people that have trained with me. Was kind of like saying their names in my head and thinking about them. To my Florida crew, all those Florida boys that pushed me every day, I love you guys. I mean, I know I make your life hard a lot of days, but you guys made my life a lot easier today, so thank you so much.”
On Thursday, 27-year-old swimmer Katie Ledecky had another chance to add to her medal count.
Team USA, made up of Ledecky, Claire Weinstein, Paige Madden, and Erin Gemmell, competed in the 4 x 200m freestyle relay and finished second, behind Australia.
This win gave Ledecky her 13th medal, making her the most decorated American woman in Olympic history and the most decorated woman swimmer in the world. Only Michael Phelps, with 28 medals, has more than her.
As swimming events come to an end, Katie Ledecky still has one more chance to add to her medal collection. She will compete in the 800m freestyle on Saturday.
Even though the Paris Olympics is Ledecky’s fourth Olympics, she hopes to compete in the Los Angeles games in 2028.
“Yeah, I’ve been consistent these last few months and these last few years in saying that I would love to compete in LA, and that hasn’t changed.”
Congratulations, Katie! You are the greatest of all time.
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I Incurred a $500 Fine When My Neighbor Falsely Accused My Son of Her Toddler’s Hallway Scribbles — I Couldn’t Let It Go
Caitlin often found herself informally supervising her neighbor Stacy’s young son, Nate, providing him some stability while his mom sought time for herself. However, when Nate decorated the hallway walls with doodles during Caitlin’s absence, she was unjustly slapped with a $500 fine. Determined to set things right, Caitlin devised a plan for retribution.
Stacy had become accustomed to letting her young son, Nate, roam the hallway as a play area.
“It’s safe, Caitlin,” she’d assure me. “Plus, it’s their version of outdoor play.”
She would then retreat behind her door, leaving Nate to his devices, often while she entertained guests.
“I just need some downtime,” she confessed to me once in the laundry room. “I’m a grown woman with needs, you know. Being a single mom, you must get it.”
I understood her need for personal space, but I could never imagine letting my own son, Jackson, wander the hallways alone. Despite our general familiarity with the neighbors, the corridors didn’t feel completely secure.
Jackson, slightly older than Nate, seemed concerned about the younger boy, who often loitered alone, clutching his tattered teddy bear.
“Mom,” Jackson would say during his playtime, “maybe we should invite him over.”
Grateful for my son’s compassion, I agreed. It was better to keep both children within sight, ensuring their safety.
Thus, we began having Nate over for snacks, toys, and movies—a simple arrangement that brought him noticeable joy.
“He mentioned he likes playing with others,” Jackson noted one day. “I don’t think his mom spends much time with him.”
And interestingly, Stacy hardly acknowledged this setup. Once she realized Nate was safe with us, she seemed to extend her leisure time even more.
Eventually, it became routine for Nate to knock on our door whenever his mother let him out.
“Hello,” he’d say, teddy in hand. “I’m here to play.”
However, one day, we were away at my parents’ house for my mom’s birthday.
“I hope Nate will be okay,” Jackson expressed concern as we drove.
“Oh, honey,” I responded. “His mom is there. She’s responsible for his safety too.”
Upon our return, we were greeted by hallway walls covered in childish drawings—a colorful chaos of stick figures and squiggles.
“Nate must have had fun,” I remarked, searching for my keys.
“Isn’t he going to be in trouble?” Jackson asked, eyeing the artwork.
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