Rio Olympics 2016 USA Swimming News: Champion Katie Ledecky Relies on Her Catholic Faith to Sustain Rio Games Training & Racing, Reveals Praying the Hail Mary Calms Her Down

By Junrell Calunod, CP Contributor Friday, August 05, 2016

American competition swimmer Katie Ledecky relies on her Catholic faith as she competes for the Rio 2016 Olympics. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist and world record-holder recently revealed how prayer helps her before starting a race.

Ledecky And Her Catholic Faith

In an interview with Catholic Standard before she flew to Brazil for the Rio 2016 Olympics, Ledecky disclosed that her Catholic faith plays an important role in her preparations and competitions. "It helps me put things in perspective," the 19-year-old swimmer shared.

Ledecky, who is the youngest member of the US swim team, said that she utters a prayer or two before starting a race. She revealed that the Hail Mary is one of her favorite prayers because it calms her down.

The decorated swimmer also attributed her successful swimming career to her faith-filled education in Bethesda, Maryland. She went to Little Flower School until 8th grade and attended high school at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart.

According to Ledecky, her Catholic schools challenged and broadened her perspective to achieve her goals in swimming and in life. She added that the Little Flower and Stone Ridge communities have been continuously supporting her since her past competitions until the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Ledecky's Second Olympics

The Rio 2016 Olympics will be Ledecky's second Olympic appearance. According to NBC Olympics, the swimmer was 15-years-old when she participated at the London 2012 Olympics, the youngest among the US delegates. Despite her young age, Ledecky dominated the women's 800-meter freestyle competitions and won a gold medal.

Ledecky remained committed with her Catholic faith amid her success as an Olympian. Crux reports that after Ledecky won a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics, she and her mom visited the nuns at the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Bethesda to thank them for praying for her. The young swimmer is planning to do the same after the Rio Games.

Sister Rosemaron Rynn, principal at Little Flower School, told Crux that Ledecky's strong Catholic faith is not surprising given the fact that she has always showcased such attitude as a student. She said that Ledecky is hardworking, determined and competitive, however, her life outside the pool has always been guided by her Catholic faith.

Ledecky is set to compete for the women's 800-meter, 400-meter, 200-meter and 4 x 200-meter freestyle races in the Rio 2016 Olympics starting August 5. She is expected to become the third female swimmer in America to win four gold medals at an Olympic event.