Watch Katie Ledecky Get a Call from President Biden After Her Impressive Olympic Run: ‘So Damn Proud’ (Exclusive)
Ledecky, who left the Paris Olympics with four new medals, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden in May
Star swimmer Katie Ledecky celebrates her triumphant run at the Paris Olympics with a special message from President Joe Biden.
Ledecky, 27, capped off her performance at the 2024 Games by breaking records and adding four new medals to her collection, including two gold.
In a video shared exclusively with PEOPLE, the athlete received a congratulatory call from Biden, 81, in which he praised her achievements.
“Katie, Katie, Katie. This is Joe Biden. God loves you. How are you?” the politician asked from his desk in the Oval Office, whereupon Ledecky asked him the same.
Biden told the Star he was “better because of you” and heaped praise on Ledecky, whom he awarded the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom in May.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Katie Ledecky will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden in May 2024.
Related: Katie Ledecky is now the most decorated Olympian in US history after winning relay silver medal
“God, I’m so damn proud of you. I can’t take any credit for anything other than the fact that you were smart enough to give yourself the Medal of Freedom,” he said. “You’re incredible.”
Ledecky then joked that it was Biden’s advice to “bring home some medals” that inspired her success.
And what an achievement it was — after winning the women’s 800-meter freestyle final, her ninth gold medal, Ledecky tied the record for most gold medals of any Olympic athlete. In Paris, she became the most decorated Olympic athlete in U.S. history, also taking gold in the 1500-meter freestyle, silver with the 4×200-meter freestyle relay and bronze in the 400-meter freestyle.
“You make us so damn proud, Katie. I really mean it,” Biden said. “It’s an honor to watch you. Really.”
Ledecky thanked and noted that the President’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden, also supported the US team athletes during the first days of the Games.
Andy Cheung/Getty
Katie Ledecky shows her gold medal from the women’s 800-meter freestyle final on August 3.
Related: Katie Ledecky wins 800 meter freestyle, setting record for most gold medals by an Olympian
“This meant a lot to us, so please thank her for me,” she said. “It’s a great honor to represent our country.”
Ledecky was one of 19 people to whom Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in early May. Biden recently announced that he will not seek re-election in November.
A White House press release said the award is given to those who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, to world peace, or to other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
“Growing up in this area, I obviously know what a great honor this is,” Ledecky, who was born in Bethesda, Maryland, told the Washington Post“I feel very connected to this area. I know this is a national award, but to me it almost feels like a local award. I get to come home for a few days for this. This is my community.”
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, visit people.com for the latest coverage before, during and after the Games. And sign up for Going for Gold, our Olympic newsletter, to get the most important stories from the Games delivered straight to your inbox. Watch the Paris Olympics and Paralympics on NBC and Peacock starting July 26.
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive more People news!
Read the original article on People.
