Even in a year where the United States Olympic Committee was focused on the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Russia, swimmer Katie Ledecky was still recognized as one of the organization’s 14 top female performers in the year 2014.
From teamusa.org’s Paul D. Bowker:
After winning a gold medal in her Olympic debut in 2012 in London in the 800-meter freestyle, Katie Ledecky really began to show her brilliant speed in 2014 at the Phillips 66 National Championships and Pan Pacific Championships. She broke the world record in the 400-meter race with a time of 3:58.86 in the national championships and then broke it again in the Pan Pacific Championships. She won four individual gold medals at the Pan Pacs, becoming the first woman to do so, and also broke her own world record in the 1,500 freestyle by nearly six seconds. Plus, she added a gold medal in the 800 freestyle relay as the anchor leg.
Ledecky is the second swimmer recognized as part of the “top 14 of 2014” program, following Ian Silverman, who was recognized by the US Paralympic Committee as its 4th-best moment overall of 2014.
No male swimmers were recognized in the Male Athletes category in what was a tough year overall for male American swimmers.
Other honorees:
- Jame Anderson, snowboarding
- Simone Biles, gymnastics
- Meryl Davis, ice dancing
- Erin Hamlin, luge
- Gwen Jorgensen, triathlon
- Oksana Masters, Nordic para-skiing
- Tatyana McFadden, wheelchair racing
- Elena Meyers Taylor, Lauryn Williams, Bobsledding
- Amy Purdy, para-snowboarding
- Claressa Shields, boxing
- Mikaela Shiffrin, skiing (slalom)
- U.S. Women’s Basketball Team
- U.S. Women’s Volleyball Team
If the goal of a sport is to cause brain damage, we should get rid of the sport–not add a women’s version of the sport.
Great list of stars. For those I know the most.
Gwen Jorgensen was amazing in triathlon all season.
Simone Biles absolutely again dominant at worlds gymnastics.
Mikaela Shiffrin slalom olympic gold medal and world cup at 17.
US volleyball team for the first time gold medal at world championships.
US basketball team as fantastic as ever. Gold medal at worlds. 1 defeat in official matches since 1994!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tatyana McFadden amazing paralympic athlete. Silver medal at last winter olympic games in cross-country skiing and then a marathon grand slam with wins in London, Boston, Chicago and New York!
And of course Katie Ledecky with the season we all know.