US swimmer Katie Grimes hungry for more Olympic medals after first taste in Paris: 'Feel a lot more motivated'

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United States women’s swimmer Katie Grimes knew what it felt like to go to the Olympics and not win a medal. 

In the Tokyo Games in 2021, Grimes was just 15 years old when she qualified for the 800-meter freestyle next to U.S. legend Katie Ledecky, who called the phenom the "future of swimming." However, Grimes just missed a spot on the podium, finishing fourth in the 800-meter freestyle final. 

But Grimes’ drive never wavered, and her work ethic and commitment to improving paid off in Paris earlier this month when she secured silver in the women’s 400-meter individual medley final. 

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Silver medalist Katie Grimes of the United States stands on the podium after the women’s 400-meter individual medley final of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Paris La Defense Arena July 29, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Now, Grimes can forever say she’s an Olympic medalist. 

"That was awesome," Grimes told Fox News Digital of winning her medal while at a celebratory homecoming "shift" at Raising Cane’s in her hometown of Las Vegas. "With not medaling at my first Olympics, I feel like it made me really appreciate getting a medal in this Olympics. It’s such a big honor, but to know what it felt like to not get a medal the first time made it even more special this time."

Unlike her first trip to the Olympics, Grimes didn’t compete in just one event. She also swam in the 1500-meter freestyle and open-water 10K, where she became the only Olympic athlete to ever attempt the 400-meter and open-water 10K at the Olympics. 

AMERICANS KATIE GRIMES, EMMA WEYANT CAPTURE MEDALS IN 400-METER