Olympic star Katie Ledecky awarded historic honorary doctorate from Yale

Katie Ledecky made more history — this time outside the pool.The most decorated American female Olympian ever was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Yale during the Ivy League university’s commencement ceremony at its New Haven, Conn.campus on Monday.The 29-year-old is believed to be the first female professional athlete and perhaps the youngest individual to be awarded an honorary doctorate by the school since the tradition began in 1702.

The degrees are awarded to “preeminent individuals in the arts, science, philosophy, athletics, and public service.” Ledecky, who attended Stanford University and is the niece of Islanders owner John Ledecky, won 14 Olympic medals, including nine gold, and 18 individual World Championship long-course meter titles, which are the most in history – competing in races ranging from the 200 meters to 1500 meters.During her 15-year career, she has broken World Records 17 times and American records 44 times.She is just one of a handful of athletes to be awarded an honorary doctorate from Yale, including former tennis star Arthur Ashe, baseball legend Willie Mays and ex-Dallas Cowboys running back and Yale track star Calvin Hill. Ledecky’s citation called her a “streaking comet in the water” and calls her a “role model, whose grace outside the water is as great as her power and grace within it.” “A student of the sport, you were also a dedicated student in school, finishing a degree at Stanford despite many lucrative lures to do otherwise,” the citation reads.

“Characterized by an unquenchable competitive drive with a relentless work ethic, you are also known to be humble, kind, and gracious, a genuinely nice person, admired and liked by all.”Ledecky, who has already begun training for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, didn’t skip a beat during the 2024 Paris Games, winning two golds, including her fourth straight in the 800-meter freestyle, a relay silver and a bronze in the 400 freesty...