Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky is on TIME’s 2016 100 Most Influential People List.
The 19 year old is the youngest person on the list, and one of 40 women.
Ledecky falls into the “Titans” category of the list. Other athletes include Stephen Curry and Rhonda Rousey. Pope Francis and Mark Zuckerberg also join Ledecky as Titans.
According to Today News, the list “takes into account those who have inspired others, positively or negatively.”
Swimming legend Janet Evans wrote the piece on Ledecky for TIME. “What I like most is that Katie doesn’t worry about the expectations that others may put on her. She has a maturity and singular focus that is an inspiration for people of all ages, in all walks of life,” shared Evans.
Ledecky continues to exceed expectations and crash through records. Evans mentions her historic sweep of the 200, 400, 800, and 1500 freestyles at World Championships last summer. Just this year, Ledecky has broken her own world record in the 800 freestyle, to set the first long course world record in January in a decade.
Ledecky shows no signs of slowing down. Already holding the world records and world’s top rankings this year, she posted the world’s second fastest 400 and 800 freestyles just last weekend at the Arena Pro Swim Series in Mesa.
She will race for a spot on the 2016 Olympic team roster beginning June 26 at the US Olympic Trials.
where is Missy Franklin, she got 3 gold
Swimmers are the best. Stay healthy and make America proud.
Congratulations Katie !