Olympic swimming great Katie Ledecky and legendary all rounder Jim Thorpe were named as 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Olympic legends will deservedly take their place amongst the pantheon of American sporting icons.
Thorpe won two gold medals in the 1912 Summer Olympics, in pentathlon and decathlon.
Thorpe was the first Native American to win a gold and will earn his medal posthumously.
Ledecky has win seven Olympic gold medals in the freestyle. She first won in London in 2012 then at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
“The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” said the White House.
Ledecky will become the second youngest athlete to win the honor, at 25, and behind gymnast Simona Biles.
