Olympic Champion Missy Franklin Expects Greatness from Katie Ledecky at Paris Games

Five-time gold medalist Missy Franklin shared her thoughts on Katie Ledecky's potential dominance and leadership in the upcoming Summer Olympics.

Five-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin recently spoke with Fox News Digital about her expectations for Katie Ledecky ahead of the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. Franklin, who retired from competitive swimming in 2018, believes Ledecky is in a prime position to continue her historic run at the pinnacle of the sport.

"I think Katie is going to be incredible in Paris," Franklin said. "She's been training really hard, and she's still so young and hungry. I think she's got a lot left in the tank."

Olympic Champion Missy Franklin Expects Greatness from Katie Ledecky at Paris Games

Ledecky, who has won 10 Olympic medals (5 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze), is widely considered the greatest female swimmer of all time. She holds the world record in the 800-meter freestyle and has won numerous other world titles.

Franklin believes that Ledecky's success is not only due to her physical abilities but also to her mental toughness and leadership qualities.

Olympic Champion Missy Franklin Expects Greatness from Katie Ledecky at Paris Games

"Katie is a true champion," Franklin said. "She's not afraid to go out there and compete against the best in the world. She's also a great leader, and I think she'll be able to help the U.S. team succeed in Paris."

In addition to her expectations for Ledecky, Franklin also shared her thoughts on the overall state of U.S. swimming. She believes that the U.S. team has a strong chance of medaling in Paris but will face tough competition from other countries, including Australia.

Olympic Champion Missy Franklin Expects Greatness from Katie Ledecky at Paris Games

"I think the U.S. team is going to be really strong in Paris," Franklin said. "We have a lot of talented swimmers, including Katie Ledecky. But I also think Australia will be a tough competitor. They have a lot of great swimmers as well."

Franklin added that she believes the U.S. team will be motivated to prove their dominance after losing to Australia in the team standings at the 2023 World Championships.

"I think the U.S. team is going to be very motivated to win in Paris," Franklin said. "They're going to want to prove that they're still the best team in the world."

Franklin will be in Paris for the 2024 Summer Games as a commentator for NBCUniversal. She said she is looking forward to seeing Ledecky and the rest of the U.S. team compete for gold.

"I'm so excited to see what Katie Ledecky and the rest of the U.S. team can do in Paris," Franklin said. "I know they're going to make us all proud."

Despite her retirement, Franklin remains one of the most popular and respected swimmers in the world. She has worked as a commentator and served as an ambassador for the sport. She also runs her own foundation, the Missy Franklin Foundation, which supports young athletes and promotes healthy lifestyles.

Franklin's insights into Ledecky and the upcoming Summer Games offer a valuable perspective for fans of the sport. Her continued involvement in swimming demonstrates her passion for the sport and her desire to inspire future generations of athletes.