US Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky reveals what athletes REALLY think about when they are competing

It may seem like gold is always on an Olympian's mind, but according to Katie Ledecky it's not on hers when she's racing.

Katie smashed the 1,500-meter freestyle on Thursday, marking a new Olympic record of 15:30:02.

Despite the incredible feat, the elite swimmer said she bizarrely wasn't even thinking about winning another medal or setting the fastest time. 

Instead, she admitted she let her mind 'wander' during the massive race and just wanted to be happy with the results.

'I just really wanted to swim a time that I could feel really proud of and happy with,' Katie said in a post-race interview.

Katie smashed the 1500-metere freestyle on Thursday, marking a new Olympic record of 15:30:02

The athlete said she often thinks of her 'Florida crew,' whom she trained with at the University of Florida while swimming. 

'I kind of let my mind wander during the race, thinking of all the people that have trained with me, just kind of saying their names in my head and thinking about them,' she shared.

Katie also won the event at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and is a five-time world champion, securing titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2022, and 2023. 

But it seems that she may be alone in her strategy, with 23-time gold medalist Michael Phelps admitting he was surprised by her comments.

He agreed with sports commentator Mike Tirico that 'it's weird' to imagine letting one's mind wander during a race.

However, Phelps - who competed in 100m and 200m events - noted he's never raced the distance that Katie does.

'Well, one, I've never swam a race long enough to where my mind can wander,' he pointed out.

On Tuesday, a video of Team USA competing went viral on TikTok with one fan writing: 'Y'all think they're thinking of all their failed situationships during this?'

Katie also won the event at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and is a five-time world champion, securing titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2022, and 2023

And all-around gold medalist gymnast Sunisa Lee then lightheartedly commented 'real' in apparent confirmation.

In 2023, 12-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin shared that while she's swimming it is just 'you and your thoughts and the sound of the water rushing.'

'There's no music, there's no one talking to you,' she told Self magazine for a TikTok video at the time. 

She added that her mind wasn't quite as blank as Katie's, and she was fairly focused on her movements.

'Every little detail makes such a big difference,' she explained.

'Moving your pinky here, your toes here, having tone in this part of your body, relaxing this part of your body while being under such competitive pressure.'