Once upon a time, famed swimmer Katie Ledecky was just an aspiring athlete and apparent fan of Michael Phelps.
Now, a photo of the stars’ quick meeting 10 years ago, far before Ledecky was on the swimming world’s radar, is taking the internet by storm.
10 years ago: A 9-year-old named Katie Ledecky gets an autograph from Michael Phelps (Credit: Ledecky Family) pic.twitter.com/oOOPns5mor
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 10, 2016
According to Time, the 2006 image shows a 21-year-old Phelps, now the world’s most decorated Olympian, signing an autograph for a 9-year-old Ledecky. It first appeared in a 2014 New York Times story.
Now, about 10 years after that photo was snapped, Phelps, now 31, and Ledecky, now 19, have both taken home gold in the 2016 Olympics – Phelps in the 200-meter butterfly and 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay, and Ledecky in the women’s 200-meter freestyle.
Just look at these two buddies now:
