Katie Ledecky Exclusive - A Hero Returns with Improbable Gold - Full Nelson

Secret Base
Secret Base
72,641
0
Published 2012-08-08
At the age of 14, swimmer Katie Ledecky sat down with her coach and set a goal: to get to the 2012 London Olympics. After months of training, waking up at 3:45 a.m. for practice and balancing a full course load at a brand new school, Katie blazed through the Olympic Trials and earned a spot on the USA Women's Swim Team. On August 3rd, Katie continued to exceed expectations and shock fans everywhere when she took home gold in the 800-meter freestyle. She set an American women's record for the event and is the second-youngest American woman to win an individual gold medal. After the excitement, she returned home to Bethesda, Maryland, where Amy K. Nelson met her to discuss what it's like to return from such a once in a lifetime experience.

Subscribe to our channel for more sports videos!
Click here: youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=sbnation

Check us out on Facebook (Facebook.com/SBNation) and follow us on Twitter (@SBNStudios)!

SB Nation: Pro Quality, Fan Perspective
www.sbnation.com/

Photos Courtesy Of:
The Ledecky Family
Rob Schumacher - USA Today
Matt Ryerson - US PRESSWIRE
Andrew Weber - US PRESSWIRE

Host: Amy K. Nelson
Producer/Shooter: Greg T. Gordon
Shooter/Editor: Jimmy Shelton
Audio Technician: Brendan Murphy

Special thanks to Katie, Mary Gen, Michael and David Ledecky, Stone Ridge School (and the young ladies who attend it), Connie Mitchell, Katie and Hattie Leasure, Dulles International Airport, and a certain neon green soda.
All Comments (21)
  • @guittadabe5214
    Katie is so sweet and yet so driven. She is the perfect role model for the power of goal setting. I am so happy to see how much she loves her community and the USA. She helps all of us come together as so many others try to tear us apart.
  • @schwamar
    Katie Ledecky is so poised and talented you forget that she is just 15 years old. It was only when she got emotional during the interview that you realize she is just a young girl. What an amazing athlete and kudos to Amy Nelson for a fabulous intimate look.
  • @Tropicallobuk
    i have tears in my eyes just watching her get emotional
  • @jhschmidMD4
    I love the Olympics; specifically because it allows for moments like Katie's gold medal 800m swim. Bask in all the love, glory, and media buzz, Katie, but stay that quiet champion who cries simply because she inspired someone else. God Bless you, keep calm and carry on, and much love from Bowie, Maryland.
  • @bdijns
    omg i just cried watching this. ... as a german guy . :D i really like her and i think she deserves everything. keep going katie :)
  • @ladygaga78may
    The fact that I was at a swim meet for Good Counsel against her school (stone ridge) and I sat next to her and didn't know who she was till someone told me
  • @majorcubumovies
    Congrats Katie!! Everyone in Montgomery County is so proud of you!!
  • @audioeins
    ❤ katie's smile, and teary eyes, and her visit with hattie, as well as the overall reaction towards her being the amazing superhuman inspiration that she is. so sweet and heartwarming :)
  • @pedrocda2010
    Katie, you are the best!!! Big fan from Brazil. Please never change the way you are. Your smile and simplicity are awsome!
  • @TSWSCI
    Respect from Jamaica!!!
  • @nellnorwood1156
    Yea for you Katie, good job. I am proud of you and all your hard work. Thank you for making our country proud. Thank You.
  • @tegan2307
    I’m proud to say she’s from my state and use to swim in other my old swim team.💗Truly an inspiration
  • @HiDave606
    Katie is amazing. An inspiration to everyone everywhere.
  • @etpass8595
    Next trial, I wish you all the luck for upcoming Olympic Katie, you deserve it.. go America
  • @mulberrysky1990
    Wow. Got me all choked up! That was beautiful. Congrats to Katie!