Katie Ledecky, who was named the Female Athlete of the Year for 2017, prays before every race.
Catholic swimmer Katie Ledecky named AP Female Athlete of the Year
Olympic swimming champion Ledecky returns home to cheering crowd
After winning five medals — four gold and one silver — at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, swimming champion Katie Ledecky is taking things one step at a time on her return home.
World record-holder swimmer still says ‘a prayer — or two — before any race’
“My Catholic faith is very important to me. It always has been and it always will be. It is part of who I am and I feel comfortable practicing my faith. It helps me put things in perspective,” she said.