Today in Sports History: August 12

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By Jonah Sharf

On August 12, 2016, American swimming legend Katie Ledecky won her fourth gold medal and fifth medal overall of the Rio Summer Olympics by winning the 800 meter freestyle. Her total of four gold medals and one silver medal made her the most decorated female US athlete at a single Olympics, and she was the second most decorated athlete of the 2016 Olympics after Michael Phelps. She was also the first swimmer to win the 200, 400, and 800 meter freestyle since 1968, and set world records in the 400 and 800 meter freestyle races. Perhaps most amazingly, Ledecky did all this at just 19 years old.

 

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