Katie Ledecky Reveals What ‘Inspires Me to Win Those Medals’ Throughout Her Olympic Journey (Exclusive)

Katie Ledecky loves to give back. 

The competitive swimmer, 28, revealed what has inspired her throughout her Olympic journey while speaking exclusively with PEOPLE at the March of Dimes 43rd Annual Sports Luncheon in New York City.

“It was pretty eye-opening to me, coming off my first Olympics when I was 15 years old, just having finished my freshman year of high school, to realize the impact I could have just by going to certain places and showing my gold medals to kids or elderly folk,” she said.

“It was a real eye-opening moment for me as a 15-year-old and something that I carry with me. It honestly inspires me to continue to try to win those medals, so I can show them to people and make them smile. It’s a real blessing to be able to do that,” the swimmer continued. 

Ledecky became the most decorated American female Olympian in history at the 2024 Paris Games. She has won 14 Olympic medals, including nine gold, four silver and one bronze, since making her Olympic debut in 2012. 

On Dec. 3, the swimmer was awarded the Sports Achievement Award at the March of Dimes luncheon alongside Jason Kelce, who received the Sports Achievement Award.

Ledecky also told PEOPLE about her support of March of Dimes, a nonprofit dedicated to the health of mothers and babies. 

“I think any group that supports mothers and children is really important. I know that they’ve done so much great work, and I care a lot about other people and I want to help other people in all that I do,” the swimmer said. 

“I never would have imagined that swimming would allow me to be in rooms like this and support great causes like this. It’s great to be here and to thank the folks at March of Dimes for the work they do,” she continued. 

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Ledecky shared how her family motto has inspired her throughout her athletic career while accepting her award. 

“‘Take the lead, keep the lead,’ that’s something that my grandfather used to tell my mom before her swim races and it’s how I swam my first swam to my first Olympic gold medal. I took the lead and I didn’t look back. We kind of joke about it, that I took that motto, that message that my grandfather used to give my mother before her swim races,” she said. 

“Just hearing all the great work that March of Dimes does, from helping mothers and babies to research to advocacy to all of the services, you all really do take the lead,” Ledecky added.