A SURPRISE GOLD In the summer of 2012 eight women lined up at a pool in London England These women were all champion swimmers in their own countries Now they were competing for Olympic gold The event was the 800-meter freestyle Each swimmer would race the length of the pool 16 times At the 2012 Olympics the London Aquatic Center held approximately 17,500 fans at any given time 5 CHAPTER 1
Katie Ledecky was the youngest woman in the race She was just 15 years old Ledecky was a high school sophomore from Maryland She was competing at her first Olympic Games In fact this Olympics was Ledecky’s first international competition Ledecky started swimming when she was five years old She won many meets growing up During high school she decided that her goal was to win a gold medal But before taking part in the Olympics swimmers must compete at the Olympic Trials At the Trials Ledecky’s time was a personal best She swam fast enough to qualify for the 2012 Olympic 6
Katie Ledecky takes a breath during the 2012 Olympic 800-meter freestyle race Games in London However she would have to swim even faster to win gold Few people thought Ledecky would win in London British swimmer Rebecca Adlington was the favorite Adlington held the world record for the 800-meter freestyle But Ledecky felt ready 7
