Katie Ledecky wrote her spot in the Olympic history books Wednesday, winning the 1,500m free, earning her eighth career gold, and setting an Olympic record time.
Swimming in the prime lane, Ledecky won the second iteration of the Olympic event by more than 10 seconds. She now ties compatriot Jenny Thompson for the most gold medals by a female swimmer in history. Her 12 Olympic medals are the most by an American woman in any sport, and tied for the most by a female swimmer.