Michael Phelps Jokes He ‘Doesn’t Count’ How Many Olympic Medals He Has — While Saluting Katie Ledecky

Natasha Dye
·3-min read

"Her distance in training and races, I'm told, would add up to a swim around the globe," Phelps said of Ledecky in a new promo for the upcoming Summer Olympics

<p>Harry How/Getty; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic</p> Katie Ledecky; Michael Phelps

Harry How/Getty; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Katie Ledecky; Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps joked that he "doesn't count" his 28 Olympic medals while sharing high praise for fellow American swimmer Katie Ledecky ahead of the upcoming Summer Olympics.

In a new promo for the 2024 Paris Olympics on NBC, 38-year-old Phelps tells the "Tale of Katie Ledecky," a picture book, to a group of young fans.

The swimming legend reads, "At 15, Katie won her first gold, which is rare. In terms of swimming medals, no other woman can compare," as the children listened intently and clips of Ledecky, 27, swimming in various competitions play.

"Her distance in training and races, I'm told, would add up to a swim around the globe," Phelps continued.

"In France, she could win more than anyone else except the greatest of all...," the Olympian said before the group of children all shouted, "Michael Phelps!"

Related: Caitlin Clark Reveals She Has a Photo of Michael Phelps as Her Lock Screen — and He Says He's 'Honored!'

One of the students asked Phelps, "How many Olympic medals have you won?"

"I don't count," Phelps said with a smirk before looking to the camera and saying, "28."

Ledecky holds 10 Olympic medals, seven of them gold, to Phelps' 28 medals, 23 of which are gold.

On Saturday, June 15, Ledecky clinched her spot on Team USA after she won the 400-meter freestyle at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials in front of a crowd of more than 20,000 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Ledecky punched her ticket with a decisive performance in the race, finishing in 3:58.35. She has since also qualified in the 200-meter and 1500-meter events.

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After the race, she told reporters, “I walked out of this tunnel tonight and just took a look around and just enjoyed the moment," adding, “We’ve come a long way and it’s really great that you all came out to support us. It’s been an amazing first night.”

<p>Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty</p> Katie Ledecky wins the women's 400m Freestyle during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials on June 15, 2024

Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty

Katie Ledecky wins the women's 400m Freestyle during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials on June 15, 2024

Related: How Katie Ledecky Inspired Olympic Hopefuls Phoebe Bacon and Erin Gemmell When They Were Guppies (Exclusive)

Ledecky's victory on Saturday will likely set up a showdown between the seven-time gold medalist and Ariarne Titmus of Australia, who took the gold over the Maryland native during 400 free at the Tokyo Olympics.

As she looks ahead to the Paris Games, which begin on July 26, Ledecky recently shared some insight into her mindset while speaking with PEOPLE.

“I want to make sure that I'm being a leader for our team, both in and out of the pool and making sure that the younger swimmers feel like they belong on that team and belong at the Olympic level," Ledecky said.

Phelps, meanwhile, is enjoying retirement as a father of four. On April 2, he shared a photo of his wife Nicole with their son Nico Michael, who was born on Jan. 16.

"My happy place" he captioned the photo on his Instagram Stories, adding a heart emoji.

The couple also shares sons Maverick, 3, and Beckett, 5, and Boomer, 7.

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