Ledecky Qualifies For More Events, Celebrates Stanford Graduation

OMAHA, NE —American swimmer Katie Ledecky, a five-time Olympic gold medal-winner, is used celebrating achievements by posing for photos on the pool deck.

So, perhaps it was appropriate that Ledecky celebrated her Stanford graduation Sunday by donning a cap, gown and Stanford embroidered stole - and bathing suit - and posing with fellow grads and former Cardinal teammates Brooke Ford and Katie Drabot on the pool deck at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha. The off-site graduation celebration took place on the same day as commencement ceremonies on The Farm.

According to Yahoo.com, the postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, gave Ledecky extra time to return to her studies at Stanford. Working virtually, Ledecky completed her psychology major and political science minor.

Ledecky, 24, told Yahoo.com she is considering going to business school or law school.

"But, at the end of the day, I want to ensure I make an impact in whatever community I'm in," said Ledecky, a native of Bethesda, Maryland.

First and foremost, Ledecky is focused on the rescheduled Summer Olympics, which will take place from July 23 to August 8. Ledecky already has qualified for three events at this week's trials.

On Monday, Ledecky won the 400-meter freestyle, though her time of 4:01.27 makes her an underdog to Australian Ariarne Titmus, who swum a 3:56.90 at the Australian Olympic Swimming Trials on Sunday.

Ledecky qualified in two more races on Wednesday, winning the 200 free (1:55.11), and then returning 70 minutes later to win the 1500 free (15:40.50). The latter race, a grueling 30 laps, will be making its Olympic debut for women in Tokyo.

"Katie is amazing," Allison Schmitt, who finished second to Ledecky in the 200 free, told AP.

Ledecky is scheduled to swim the 800 free at the trials on Friday, and she also may be part of two relays at the Summer Olympics.