Katie Ledecky dives into Paris 2024 aiming for her eighth career gold, hoping to tie Jenny Thompson’s record and become the most decorated American female swimmer in Olympic history.

Already owning enough gold to spark envy in Fort Knox, Ledecky is back to add a few more shiny trinkets to her collection. With 10 Olympic medals jingling in her gym bag, she'll need just two more to match the legendary Jenny Thompson's record of 12. Swimming at the state-of-the-art Paris La Défense Arena, she'll attempt to turn the pool into her personal jewelry store, all while hoping the Seine River events don't throw in any unexpected surprises, like a sprinting fish.

Katie Ledecky's ambitious plans for Paris 2024 include a grueling schedule that features three freestyle individual events: the 400-meter, 800-meter, and 1500-meter. As if that's not demanding enough, she'll also be part of the 4x200 freestyle relay team. Clearly, Ledecky’s strategy is to conquer every body of water available, from the pool to the relay-length, and perhaps make her way to the Seine River just for kicks.

The Paris La Défense Arena will host virtually all swimming events, turning this sophisticated venue into a vortex of medals and national anthems. However, for those long-distance swimmers craving a change of scenery, the 10-kilometer marathon events will be held in the Seine River. Spectators will undoubtedly hope for clear weather, because if it rains, it might feel more like a 10K swim through a Monet painting than an Olympic competition.

Fans lucky enough to be glued to a screen instead of a pool deck have plenty of options for tuning in. NBC and Telemundo will provide at least nine hours of coverage daily, spanning from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. This means plenty of time for viewers to exchange their normal daytime habits for a steady diet of breaststrokes, backstrokes, and butterfly strokes. NBC, Telemundo, USA Network, Golf Channel, CNBC, and E! will also broadcast the events, ensuring that no viewer is left high and dry.

For those who prefer their sporting events to be on-demand and without network interference, Peacock will be streaming every event live. Yes, every single splash will be available at the click of a button, making it the perfect companion for anyone intent on watching Ledecky's historic swims in real-time—or for those just hoping to learn solid technique for their next pool party.

Events will kick off on July 27 and run through August 4, ensuring a week-long spectacle of flailing arms, synchronized turns, and dramatic finishes. With detailed daily schedules provided, viewers—both the die-hard and the casually curious—can meticulously plan their lives around the medal events. Considering the variety of 18 swimming events split across women's, men's, and mixed competitions, there’s a swimming event for everyone’s taste. Variety truly is the spice of competitive swimming.

As if the excitement level needed a turbo boost, a total of 46 American pool swimmers have qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics. This means that in addition to Ledecky’s record-chasing feats, there will be enough American swimmers to start a small, aquatic militia. Tokyo’s blue lanes will be swarming with stars and stripes, all vying for personal glory and a spot on the podium.

While Katie Ledecky is undoubtedly the star attraction, the broader U.S. swimming team also brings an arsenal of prospective medalists. From seasoned veterans to fresh faces making their Olympic debut, the American contingent promises to be a formidable presence. The anticipation is palpable, and fans worldwide are eager to see who will rise to the occasion and who might belly flop under the pressure.

To catch every nuanced stroke and possible record-breaking moment, viewers globally are encouraged to adjust their sleep schedules or invest in some high-quality eye drops. This year, the Olympics promise a swimming showcase that could make a fish do a double-take. After all, how often do you get to witness history being made—especially one splash at a time?