Katie Ledecky became the most decorated female Olympic swimmer of all time at the Paris Games on Thursday, despite the U.S. team settling for silver in the 4x200 meters freestyle relay. Australia clinched the gold, setting an Olympic record, while China took the bronze and Canada finished fourth.

Ledecky’s silver in the relay brought her total Olympic medal count to 13 (eight golds, four silvers, and one bronze), surpassing the previous record held by compatriots Jenny Thompson, Dara Torres, Natalie Coughlin, and Australia’s Emma McKeon. She and Michael Phelps are the only swimmers with 13 Olympic medals, although Phelps’s tally of 28 remains unmatched.

"It's just amazing to get to be a part of even one-thirteenth of the journey that she's been on," Ledecky's teammate Erin Gemmell said, reflecting on the honor of competing alongside Ledecky.

The Australian team, comprising Mollie O'Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Brianna Throssell, and Ariarne Titmus, finished with a time of seven minutes and 38.08 seconds. Jamie Perkins and Shayna Jack, who swam in the heats, also earned golds. The U.S. team, with Ledecky swimming the third leg, moved up from third to second but finished 2.78 seconds behind.

Ledecky still has the opportunity to equal the record for most gold medals by a female Olympian held by former Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, with her final event being the women’s 800 meters freestyle, where she holds the world record.

Australia led the relay from the start, with O'Callaghan setting a strong pace, Pallister maintaining the lead, and Throssell ensuring Ledecky could not catch up. Despite recovering from COVID-19 earlier in the week, Pallister delivered a commendable performance.

"This morning, we were wearing masks just to make sure. She (Pallister) has tested negative now, but I think to do those two incredible swims in one day is such a testament to her," said Throssell.

Titmus, swimming the final leg, ensured Australia's victory and secured her second gold and third medal of the Games. Reflecting on their success, Titmus said, "It was really fun. I feel like a bit of redemption for us. Tokyo was definitely not the result we wanted and I personally wasn't happy with how I performed in the relay in Tokyo."

Australia had finished third in the Tokyo relay, behind China and the U.S. "I feel like I have a role to play in this team and do the best job I possibly can. And I think I did that tonight. I'm proud that they had faith in me... to put me last and get the job done," Titmus added.