Katie Ledecky has an impressive track record of seven Olympic gold medals, 19 gold medals from world championships, and 16 world records shattered throughout her career. She stands as a definitive candidate for the title of the greatest swimmer of all time.
While undeniably great, recent years have left Ledecky, 26, somewhat more vulnerable than in the past. Though still the best in the world for long breaststrokes of 800 meters and 1,500 meters, her dominance in shorter breaststrokes has tapered off, and she is no longer the sole protagonist.
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American Claire Weinstein is rising star in competitive swimming
(Photo: AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
This is evidenced by her failure to win a podium position in the 200m freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics and her loss to the Australian Ariarne Titmus in the 400m freestyle - a race she'd once been the undisputed queen of. Just last month, Ledecky faced yet another setback when a domestic challenger emerged. For years, only foreign swimmers had managed to challenge her, but now the situation has shifted significantly.
At the U.S. Championships, doubling as the American trials for the upcoming World Championships in Japan, Ledecky's winning streak of nine years came to an end with her loss in the 200m freestyle to an American swimmer. The one responsible for upsetting Ledecky's hegemony in her home country is 16-year-old Jewish teen Claire Weinstein, who is being touted as the next big thing in American and international swimming.
Weinstein's win was not just surprising but also remarkably dramatic. Some 150 meters into the race it seemed like Ledecky, who was leading by 28 hundredths of a second, was sure to clinch the win. But in a thrilling finish, Weinstein sped past the decorated and experienced swimmer and stopped the clock at 1:55.26 minutes – a record result placing her 24th place in history (based on one result per swimmer).
"Honestly, I wasn't chasing her," an ecstatic Weinstein said. "My race plan was focused mainly on the last 50 meters, and I just stuck to it. I wasn't specifically trying to catch Ledecky; my only objective was to secure a ticket to the World Championships."
Although disappointed by her rare defeat, Ledecky was gracious in her praise for the winner. "Weinstein is an outstanding swimmer, who has been making steady progress and possesses great self-confidence. To see someone younger than me beat me is inspiring; it's a reminder that someone out there is working harder than me – and that I need to keep pushing myself," she said.
The field of swimming in the U.S. boasts a long and illustrious history, with the Jewish community contributing significantly to its success. The most renowned Jewish swimmer is undoubtedly Mark Spitz, who won seven Olympic gold medals at the 1972 Olympics. However, Spitz is just one name on a lengthy list of Jewish swimming superstars.
Weinstein is widely expected to be the next shining star in the long line of Jewish swimming successes. Her recent achievement at the U.S. Championships took even her by surprise, but to argue that it came out of nowhere would be highly inaccurate. Swimming experts have been touting her as a breakout star for several years now, with the potential to become one of the biggest names in American and international swimming.
Weinstein was born in White Plains, Westchester County, New York. She was raised as a Reform Jew and had her Bat Mitzvah at the Kol Ami Synagogue in her city when she turned 12. As part of her mitzvah project, she volunteered to train young swimmers and generously donated money to an association that supports economically disadvantaged young swimmers.
Weinstein's passion for swimming was sparked at the tender age of three, and her love for the sport was evident from the start. By the time she turned six, she was already taking part in swimming competitions. Recognizing her exceptional talent, her parents enrolled her in a renowned Westchester club led by esteemed coach Claire Fierro. Fierro describes Weinstein as an easy to train swimmer with a remarkable ability to articulate how she feels in the water. Moreover, Weinstein's determination, diligence and motivation not only drove her to excel but also inspired her teammates to give their best efforts.
Impressed by Weinstein's exceptional dedication and her love for long-distance swimming, Fierro handpicked her to join a select group of girls known as the "Distance Diva Group." This exclusive unit of young female swimmers underwent specialized weekend training sessions, exclusively focused on long-distance swimming. According to Fierro, it was in this Divas group that she witnessed Weinstein's significant progress and breakthroughs in her swimming abilities.
Weinstein's progress was nothing short of meteoric. Remarkably, at just 13 years old, she had already met the criteria to participate in the American qualifying trials for the Tokyo Olympics. Although she didn't secure a spot in the actual games, her participation in such a prestigious qualifying competition garnered significant attention and raised the expectations surrounding her even further.
Left home in search of a dream
After facing early disappointment in her attempt to qualify for the Olympics, Weinstein made a momentous personal choice. At just 14 years old, she took the bold step of leaving her parents' home and relocated to Las Vegas to join the highly-acclaimed Sandpipers of Nevada swim team. The team has a remarkable track record of producing Olympic medalists and world champions.
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Claire Weinstein reacts after winning the Women's 200 Meter Freestyle Final on day two of the Phillips 66 National Championships at Indiana University Natatorium on June 28, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana
(Photo by Sarah Stier / Getty Images North America / AFP)
The dedicated training in the prestigious swimming team yielded rapid results for Weinstein. Her prowess as a versatile swimmer became evident, excelling in pool races with different strokes and demonstrating exceptional skills in open water. Notably, she secured the title of US youth champion in the 3-mile swim, finishing over a minute ahead of the second-place contender last year.
And that marked only the start of her impressive journey. A few weeks later, Weinstein successfully navigated the American trials for the World Championships, securing her spot in the prestigious event held in Budapest last year. As the youngest American swimmer to compete in the World Championships in 15 years, she showcased her talent on the global stage.
Notably, she contributed to the American team's triumph, earning a gold medal in the 200x4m freestyle relay and achieving a commendable 10th place in the individual medley. Looking ahead to this year's championship, you can bet she will set her sights even higher, aiming for individual success beyond team accolades.
Weinstein possesses all the essential qualities for success in the swimming industry. With exceptional talent and standing at an optimal height of 6 feet, she has the ideal physique for a swimmer. However, what sets her apart is her down-to-earth personality, as she remains grounded and humble despite her achievements. When asked about her qualification for the World Championships, her embarrassment was evident, responding with modesty: "It's cool, that's all I can say." While she admitted to struggling with pressure in the past, her recent results demonstrate significant growth in managing such challenges, indicating her continued progress and potential for greatness.
Despite her impressive achievements, Weinstein hasn't risen to the status of a household name as of yet, especially compared to other decorated athletes in the United States. As the youngest member of the American delegation at this year's championship, she enjoys a degree of anonymity. While well-known within swimming circles, she has only around 6,000 followers on Instagram, a mere fraction of her rival and teammate Katie Ledecky's followers.
However, all of this is likely to change after the upcoming World Championships, where she is expected to shine, and even more so if she lives up to expectations and excels in the Olympic pool in Paris next year.