Katie Ledecky wins 13th medal, most ever for female Olympian in history

NANTERRE, France — American women took silver in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay on Thursday, putting an all-time record 13th medal around the neck of Katie Ledecky.

The team of Ledecky, Claire Weinstein, Paige Madden and Erin Gemmell placed second behind Australia — made up of Mollie O’Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Brianna Throssell and Arianre Titmus — who turned in an Olympic-record time of 7:38.08.

Defending Olympic-champion China took bronze.

Ledecky was a key contributor to Thursday night’s silver at Paris La Défense Arena, completing the third leg in 1:54.93, making up time against Throssell who clocked in at 1:56.

The 27-year-old Ledecky now has more swimming medals than any woman in Olympics history. And she can add to that total Saturday in her final event, the 800m freestyle.

The four U.S. women stepped on to the podium in unison, clasping and raising their hands as a team. The medal formally went around Ledecky’s neck at 10:33 p.m. local time.

“It’s just amazing to get to be a part of even one-13th of the journey that she’s been on, ” Gemmell said. “It’s so much more fun to be on a relay than to be by yourself and we just had a great time out there tonight.”

Gemmell, as an 8-year-old, famously dressed up as her idol Ledecky for Halloween.

“It’s a lot to wrap my head around,” said Gemmell, 19. “It’s crazy now that I can use this medal in a Halloween costume for her.”

Ledecky did not speak to reporters after receiving her historic medal. She’s scheduled to swim in qualifying heats for the 800 free on Friday a few minutes before noon local time.

“It’s really special being on a relay for the USA and it just makes it even more special that we could be a part of Katie’s journey,” Weinstein said.

On Thursday, Ledecky won the grueling 1,500-meter freestyle — in Olympic-record time — for her eighth gold and 12th overall medal. No other female swimmer has as many golds as the Bethesda, Maryland native.

And for about 24 hours, Ledecky shared a line in history books with fellow American icons of the pool and 12-time medalists Jenny Thompson, Dara Torres and Natalie Coughlin.

Ledecky’s medals have come in London, Rio, Tokyo and France but she has no plans to slow down.

The Stanford University alum has said she hopes to qualify for the 2028 games in Los Angeles, where swimming will be held in nearby SoFi Stadium.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.