Katie Ledecky Catholic swimmer Katie Ledecky has been named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press.
A ballot of US editors and news directors saw Ms Ledecky, who won five gold medals and one silver in July’s world swimming championships, pip tennis star Serena Williams by 351 votes to 343.
Ms Ledecky, who has praised the “excellent, faith-filled education” she received in Washington DC Catholic schools, revealed ahead of the 2016 Olympics that she prays before every race, saying: “The Hail Mary is a beautiful prayer and I find that it calms me.”