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News | Washington Commanders - Commanders.com

Five-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Ledecky Hypes Up Redskins

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The five-time championship-winning Redskins invited five-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky to speak to the team on Saturday afternoon.

Less than a month ago, Katie Ledecky was smashing her own world records with ease in the swimming pool, capturing four gold medals along with one silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

On Saturday afternoon Ledecky – a lifelong Redskins fan – spoke to the team at the Inova Sports Performance Center at Redskins Park in Loudoun County, Va., providing a message for the players before they embark on the regular season.

"I think swimming and football have a little bit of the same drive that's needed, and you do a lot of things over and over in practice, both in the pool and on the field in football," Ledecky told Redskins.com about her message to the Redskins. "So just try to give them a little insight into what I think about and how I try to achieve my goals and just to them they're well respected. In this community, everybody looks to them as heroes and we're all rooting for them and it's going to be fun to watch them this season."

Just like she did in the pool, Ledecky showed no fear speaking to the entire Redskins roster and coaching staff.

"Its two different things, but once I got out there and started talking to them, it came pretty naturally," Ledecky said. "It's pretty easy for me to talk about and about how I set my goals and work towards them. It was fun to be a part of that and hopefully inspire them to have a great season."

Ledecky set world records in the 400 meter and 800 meter freestyle races along with a gold medal in the 200 meter free style while in Brazil. The Washington, D.C., native also earned a silver medal in the 4x100 meter freestyle relay.

Now one of the most decorated American Olympians in history at just 19-years old, Ledecky is back home one last time before heading to Stanford this fall for her freshman year.

On Saturday, September 4th, 2016, Gold Medal Olympian Katie Ledecky visited the Inova Sports Performance Center at Redskins Park to speak with players and coaches and tour the facility.

"It's been pretty crazy, but it's been a lot of fun to share the moments from Rio with my friends and family," Ledecky said. "Just taking some down time and then heading to Stanford and getting back in the pool and setting new goals for the next four years."

In nine days, the Redskins will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the regular season opener at FedExField on Monday Night Football.

While Ledecky will be across the country, she's "pretty excited" to see the Redskins defend the NFC East this season.

"It looked like a great preseason and the guys were really nice and seemed to be really relaxed and ready and excited for the season," Ledecky said. "I can't wait to see what they can do this year."

As for a race between the fastest female in the pool at DeSean Jackson, arguably the fastest player in the NFL.

"I think anyone on land is a little faster, but maybe I could give him a run," Ledecky said with smile.

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