Star swimmer Katie Ledecky is celebrating a triumphant run at the Paris Olympics with a special message from President Joe Biden.
Ledecky, 27, capped her appearance at the 2024 Games by breaking records and adding four new medals to her collection, including two gold.
In a video shared exclusively with PEOPLE, the athlete received a celebratory phone call from Biden, 81, marking her achievements.
“Katie, Katie, Katie. It’s Joe Biden. God love you. How’re you doing?” the politician asked from his desk in the Oval Office, to which Ledecky asked him the same.
Biden told the star he’s “better because of you,” and heaped praise on Ledecky, whom he awarded the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom in May.
Katie Ledecky receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden in May 2024.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
“God, I’m so damn proud of you. I can take no credit except for being smart enough to give you the Medal of Freedom,” he said. “You are incredible.”
Ledecky then joked that it had been Biden’s advice to “bring home some medals” that inspired her success.
And what a success it was — after winning the women’s 800-meter freestyle final, her ninth gold medal, Ledecky tied the record for most gold medals by any female Olympian ever. She became the most decorated female Olympian in U.S. history in Paris, and also took home gold in the 1500-meter freestyle, silver in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay and bronze in the 400-meter freestyle.
“You make us so damn proud, Katie. I really mean it,” Biden said. “It’s an honor to watch you. It really is.”
Ledecky responded with thanks, and noted that the president’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden, was also out supporting Team USA athletes in the early days of the Games.
Katie Ledecky shows off her gold medal from the women’s 800-meter freestyle final on Aug. 3.
Andy Cheung/Getty
“That meant a lot to us, so please thank her for me,” she said. “It’s such an honor to represent our country.”
Ledecky was one of 19 people awarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in early May by Biden, who recently announced he will not be seeking reelection come November.
A press release from the White House said the honor is given to those who “have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
“Obviously, growing up in this area, I know what a huge honor this is,” Ledecky, who was born in Bethesda, Md., told the Washington Post. “I feel very connected to this area. I know this is a national kind of award, but to me it feels almost local. I get to come home for this for a couple of days. This is my community.”
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