After winning two golds, a silver, and a bronze in Paris, Thursday brought news that Katie Ledecky will carry the flag for the United States in Sunday’s Olympic closing ceremonies. It’s just another item on a very, very long list of career records and milestones. 

But despite the wild success, Ledecky’s unassuming personality and predictable dominance have made her more of a steady champion than a cultural phenomenon.

Today, our D’arcy Maine helps peel back the curtain to understand what makes Ledecky tick, how she’s achieved such greatness, and whether we’ll see her on the Olympic stage one more time.

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