Katie Ledecky, the most decorated women's swimmer in history, and Jim Thorpe, a multisport athlete who was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal for the United States, were among 19 people to be honored on Friday by President Joe Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.
Ledecky is a seven-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, taking home at least one gold in each of the past three Olympics. She will compete at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Her 16 individual gold medals at the world championships are the most by any swimmer, man or woman.
"A humble leader, Olympian and champion of unparalleled determination, Katie Ledecky is the most decorated female swimmer in history, with 10 Olympic medals and counting," the White House said of Ledecky, in awarding her the medal. "An athletic prodigy from a swimming family, she captured the world's admiration with her punishing strokes and unmatched stamina, pushing through and setting the highest standards for the toughest races ever known. Powered by faith, family and teamwork, Katie Ledecky is a symbol of perseverance and strength, with a heart of gold that shines for the nation and for the world."
Thorpe, who died in 1953, is among a list of recipients that pays special homage to firsts in their field. Thorpe became the first Native American to earn an Olympic gold medal in 1912 when he won the decathlon and pentathlon.
Others being honored for breakthrough achievements are "Everything Everywhere All at Once" actress Michelle Yeoh, who was the first Asian woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, and Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space.
The 10 men and nine women hail from politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights and LGBTQ+ advocacy, science and religion. Thorpe's honor is among three medals that will be awarded posthumously.
"These nineteen Americans built teams, coalitions, movements, organizations, and businesses that shaped America for the better," the announcement from the White House said. "They are the pinnacle of leadership in their fields. They consistently demonstrated over their careers the power of community, hard work, and science."
Seven politicians were among the recipients: former New York mayor and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg, Rep. James Clyburn, former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, climate activist and former Vice President Al Gore, Biden's former climate envoy John Kerry, former Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who died in 2013, and former House speaker Nancy Pelosi.
In 2022, Biden presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 17 people, including gymnast Simone Biles and soccer player Megan Rapinoe.
Biden also knows how it feels to receive the medal. As president, Barack Obama presented Biden, his vice president, with the medal a week before their administration ended in 2017.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.