Gertrude Ederle had surprised competitors and spectators right from the start of her storied career as one of the 20th century’s best athletes, male or female. In her first major race, the Day Cup, a 3.5-mile international women’s race between Manhattan Beach and Brighton Beach, she entered as a complete unknown and beat the reigning American and European champions. She was 15.

With her performance, Ledecky proves that gender should not be a limitation on what women can accomplish. She challenges the norm that women can’t aim for elite male times. Ledecky started out as a head-turner in the London Olympics with a remarkable breakthrough at the start of her international career. From 2016 to 2017 is when she made leaps and bounds, further impacting the gender discussion surrounding swimming.

"I think a lot of people take for granted how lucky we are now to have college sports for women and to have the opportunities that we do."