Olympic gold medal swimmer Katie Ledecky, 18, just completed an unprecedented 1,700 meter session at the world championships in Kazan, Russia – a feat she undertook after making a pledge to “Walk With Francis” in anticipation of his U.S. visit next month.Aleteia is reporting on the amazing feat Ledecky performed in Kazan on Monday, plowing through 1,700 meters and still being able to stand up afterward.
The New York Times puts the achievement in perspective when it describes Ledecky’s swim as amounting to 1,300 meters more than the doubles Michael Phelps swam during his eight gold-medal swims at the 2008 Olympics.
After the swim, Ledecky admitted it was tougher than she thought it would be. When asked how she managed to complete the grueling swim, she told the Russian press that she kept her mind focused on her rhythm and the sound of the water rushing past her.
“I wasn’t afraid to fail,” she said, adding, “I had nothing to lose.”
But there was something more behind that incredible swim – her unconditional love for her family and the decision she recently made to take the “Walk With Francis” pledge that was launched by the Archdiocese of Washington DC in anticipation of the upcoming Papal visit.
The pledge gives people of all walks of life – Catholic and non-Catholic – a way to participate in the visit by making a commitment to pray, learn, and/or serve others in the example of Pope Francis.
In a video appearing on the Archdiocesan website, the young Bethesda resident and graduate of Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart speaks about how excited she is to welcome the pope to Washington next month.
“Francis tells us that loving God and nature is not something abstract but profoundly concrete. It means seeing in every person the face of the Lord. In that spirit, in the weeks leading up to Francis’ visit, I pledge to find special ways to support charitable organizations such as Catholic Charities, Shepherd’s Table and Bikes for the World. And I encourage you to join me and others in taking the papal pledge!”
Click here to find out how you can #WalkWithFrancis!
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