U.S. firsts at 2024 Olympics: Ledecky, Durant, Biles, more - ESPN

The 2024 Paris Olympics were packed with unforgettable milestones and first-time accomplishments.

Simone Biles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Katie Ledecky and other American athletes made 2024 a year to remember. Before the United States pivots to the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games and 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games, here's a look at some notable firsts for Team USA at the 2024 Summer Games.

Katie Ledecky becomes first female Olympian with nine career gold medals for Team USA

Katie Ledecky is the most decorated woman in U.S. Olympic history. The 27-year-old won four medals in Paris, bringing her career Olympic medal count to 14. Ledecky defended her Olympic titles in both the women's 1500-meter freestyle (Olympic-record 15:30.02) and the women's 800-meter freestyle, propelling her to nine career Olympic gold medals. No. 9 passed Jenny Thompson for the most among U.S. women and tied former Soviet Union gymnast Larisa Latynina for the most of all time.

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