Honestly, most people think Katie Ledecky just lives in a pool in Florida. They picture her churning out endless laps in Gainesville, chasing some invisible line in the water until her eyes turn red from the chlorine. But lately? She’s been everywhere in New York. From the high-wattage lights of midtown Manhattan to the suburban stages of Long Island, the gold medalist Ledecky NY appearances have become a whole thing.
It’s not just about the medals anymore. We know she has nine Olympic golds. We know she’s basically the human equivalent of a Great White shark in the 1500m. But why is the greatest distance swimmer of all time spending so much time in the Empire State?
The Uncle Connection: Why She’s an Islanders Fan
First off, let’s talk about the New York Islanders. If you’ve ever seen Katie Ledecky at a hockey game, she isn't just there for the popcorn. Her uncle is Jon Ledecky. Yeah, the guy who co-owns the team.
Because of that family tie, she’s basically an honorary New Yorker. She’s been spotted at UBS Arena more times than some season ticket holders. It’s kinda refreshing to see a world-class athlete just being a fan. She wears the jersey. She cheers. She does the whole "Yes! Yes! Yes!" chant.
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But the gold medalist Ledecky NY connection goes deeper than just sports fandom. It’s about business and philanthropy now.
Taking the Stage at Tilles Center and 92NY
Just recently, she’s been hitting the speaking circuit hard. In late 2025, she did a massive event at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Brookville. This wasn't some boring lecture. It was an "evening with" moderated by Bruce Beck from WNBC.
She talked about the stuff people usually ignore. Like her diagnosis with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome).
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- It’s a heart condition.
- It makes your heart rate spike when you stand up.
- It can cause dizziness and exhaustion.
Think about that for a second. The woman who dominates the most grueling races in the world is dealing with an autonomic nervous system disorder. She’s used her New York platform to be an ambassador for Catholic Health, pushing a message of health and wellness that feels actually authentic, not just like a paid script.
She also stopped by the 92nd Street Y (92NY) in Manhattan to talk about her memoir, Just Add Water. If you haven't read it, it’s basically a masterclass in how to stay sane while being the best in the world. New York loves a winner, but New York really loves a winner who has a story to tell.
Is She Moving Here?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: She’s still training in Florida with Anthony Nesty and the Gators.
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But you can tell she treats NY like a second home. At the 2023 Golden Goggle Awards—which were held in NYC—she shared the Female Athlete of the Year honors with Kate Douglass, who is actually a New York native from Pelham. It felt like a passing of the torch, or maybe just a shared reign.
Ledecky is 28 now. In the world of swimming, that’s "old." But she just clocked a 15:23.21 in the 1500m in early 2026. That is the second-fastest time in history. She is literally only getting beaten by her younger self.
What You Should Do Next
If you're following the gold medalist Ledecky NY trail, keep an eye on the charity circuit. She frequently pops up at events involving the Navy SEAL Foundation or New York-based health initiatives.
- Follow her Islanders appearances: She’s most likely to be at UBS Arena during the NHL playoffs.
- Check the Catholic Health updates: As their wellness ambassador, she often does community health events in the Long Island area.
- Read "Just Add Water": It explains the mindset she brings to every New York appearance—humility over hype.
She isn't just a visitor; she’s a fixture of the New York sports scene who happens to live somewhere warmer. Whether she's ringing the bell at the Stock Exchange or talking heart health in Nassau County, she’s proving there's a lot more to her than just gold medals and world records.