Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky is an ‘incredible leader for Team USA,’ swim legend Missy Franklin says

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The expectations for seven-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky are high heading into the Summer Olympics, but it's not just her dominance in the pool that makes her an invaluable member of Team USA’s success. 

Fellow Olympian Missy Franklin believes it’s Ledecky's role outside pool lanes that makes her one of the greats. 

Katie Ledecky of the United States reacts after the preliminary heat for the women's 400-meter freestyle on the first day of the 2024 U.S. Olympic team swimming trials at Lucas Oil Stadium June 15, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Speaking to Fox News Digital ahead of the Paris Games, Franklin spoke optimistically about Ledecky’s chances at this year’s Games.

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"I think she's going to show up like she always does. Katie knows when to perform. She's been doing it since 2012." 

It will be Ledecky’s fourth Olympics, and she is expected to solidify her spot during this weekend’s U.S. swimming trials. But the challengers are already lining up. Australia’s Ariarne Titmus and Canada’s Summer McIntosh present the biggest threat in the women’s 400-meter freestyle. 

Ledecky won gold in that event in 2016 but lost to Titmus in Tokyo. McIntosh then took over the world record in the women’s 400-meter freestyle, but Titmus claimed it back later that year at the world championships. 

Franklin agrees the competition will be fierce, but that’s when Ledecky shines. 

USA's Katie Ledecky celebrates after winning the final of the women's 1500-meter freestyle during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo July 28, 2021.  (Oli Scarff/AFP via