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

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.
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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.

[@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.

[@fozzieatdetourbillnye5514]

I hope to meet her one day.

[@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.

[@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 :)

[@dmana3172]

Thank you! :)

[@Tropicallobuk]

i have tears in my eyes just watching her get emotional

[@linda6707]

Me too

[@Tropicallobuk]

heartwarming to see tears in her eyes, gotta love #KatieLedecky

[@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.

[@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 :)

[@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.

[@pedrocda2010]

Katie, you are the best!!! Big fan from Brazil. Please never change the way you are. Your smile and simplicity are awsome!

[@tegan2307]

I’m proud to say she’s from my state and use to swim in other my old swim team.💗Truly an inspiration

[@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!!

[@TSWSCI]

Respect from Jamaica!!!

[@HiDave606]

Katie is amazing. An inspiration to everyone everywhere.

[@ericvsthem]

This is great work. Thanks for this, Amy and Co.

[@jimbones155]

Katie is a national treasure.

[@felipefonseca5670]

She is so great. I just love her!

[@rubbersole79]

America has a new sweetheart.

[@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!

[@ofosusam]

amazing and very inspiring. my daughter will like it. she is 3 and started swimming last august.

[@mayonaisefrank8881]

She is one of the best. Right after Phelps.

[@jhschmidMD4]

This is a great video BTW!!

[@Tropicallobuk]

she lives in a beautiful neighborhood

[@CarlosOrtiz-ec7ss]

Watching this 4 gold and 1 silver Olympics medal later....

[@Hamilton2121]

Great story, Amy you're the best!

[@jerrybrownell3633]

With apologies to Michael Phelps, Katie has a chance to be The Greatest Olympic Champion ever.

[@saqibq]

Best of luck to them with everything in their future.

[@cruzansuz]

So, so, SO proud. Mrs. Cohen

[@swimhurl]

That makes sense, in any case an incredible accomplishment!

[@ErnazarPaluanov]

Congratulations Katie. I am fun of you and Sony Rebeca. Go a head for gold medals in Los Angeles 2028

[@swimhurl]

why didn't they interview the coach that actually trained her?

[@kierajevtich5892]

I know Katie ledecky personally

[@annabrink2030]

Luckyyyy!!!

[@alizahid1932]

when she was crying/laughing, couldn't tell if she was crying/laughing(primarily)

[@rebeccachua5191]

Homecoming queen 👍

[@Kabaselefh]

her mother prepared her since she was a baby

[@thesupremeoverlordgeorgebu5441]

she looks sooo tall

[@Ilovegymnastics-ks4ii]

The Waifu Hunter she’s 6ft

[@jerrybrownell3633]

The U.S. Women's Olympic Swimming Team usually averages 5 feet 11 inches and 140 lbs.

[@jsdhjh]

next president of usa please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@danutaklan6961]

🙌💖🌷🌹🌻

[@CZiemer100]

Ester hat mehr Sex-Appeal. Carsten