American women secured silver in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay on Thursday, earning Katie Ledecky an all-time record 13th Olympic medal.

The team, consisting of Ledecky, Claire Weinstein, Paige Madden, and Erin Gemmell, placed second behind Australia, whose team set an Olympic record time of 7:38.08. Defending Olympic champion China took bronze.

Ledecky played a crucial role in the relay, completing the third leg in 1:54.93, gaining time against Australia’s Brianna Throssell. This achievement makes the 27-year-old Ledecky the most decorated female swimmer in Olympic history, with an opportunity to add to her total in the 800m freestyle on Saturday.

The U.S. team celebrated their silver medal together on the podium, raising their hands in unison. “It’s just amazing to get to be a part of even one-13th of the journey that she’s been on,” said Gemmell, who idolized Ledecky as a child. “It’s crazy now that I can use this medal in a Halloween costume for her.”

Ledecky did not speak to reporters after receiving her historic medal but will compete in the 800m freestyle qualifying heats on Friday.

Katie Ledecky celebrates after her gold medal win in the Olympic 1,500m women’s freestyle event.

On Thursday, Ledecky won the 1,500-meter freestyle in Olympic-record time, securing her eighth gold and 12th overall medal, surpassing previous records held by fellow American swimmers Jenny Thompson, Dara Torres, and Natalie Coughlin.

Ledecky’s medals span the Olympics in London, Rio, Tokyo, and now France, with plans to compete in the 2028 games in Los Angeles, where swimming will be held at SoFi Stadium.