Katie Ledecky awarded honorary doctorate at Yale University graduation ceremony

Katie Ledecky is used to receiving accolades, but her latest one has come outside of the swimming pool.

The nine-time Olympic champion was awarded an honorary degree from Yale University in her native USA, one of eight recipients at the university’s 325th graduation ceremony on Monday (18 May).

Yale has selected individuals to receive honorary degrees since 1702, and Ledecky is the latest to be named a ‘Doctor of Humane Letters’ by the Ivy League university.

Adding to her 14 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals, the swimmer joins an esteemed list of sporting icons to be awarded honorary degrees for their achievements.

They include tennis titan Rafael Nadal (two Olympic gold medals), artistic gymnastics legend Simone Biles (seven Olympic gold medals), and former basketball point guard Chris Paul (two Olympic gold medals).

Ledecky, one Olympic gold medal away from double figures, is targeting a fifth Games at LA 2028; swimming will start in the second week at the 2028 Stadium in Inglewood.

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