Aug 3, 2024; Nanterre, France; Katie Ledecky (USA) in the women’s 800-meter freestyle final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Paris La Défense Arena. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Sports Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Sports

Katie Ledecky surprises viral superfan via FaceTime (VIDEO)

Originally posted on The Athlete Lifestyle on SI
By Alex Gonzalez | Last updated Aug 5, 2024 6:14 PM ET

Some moments are simply meant to come full circle. Earlier this year, a viral video of nine-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Katie Ledecky playing peek-a-boo with Michael Jordan resurfaced online. In the video, Ledecky is two years old, and unaware of whom she was playing the game with. More than two decades later, Ledecky has become a legend in her own right, leaving fans in awe of her.

One fan is eight-year-old Madden Lowrey, who attended the Olympics in Paris, and later went viral for her reaction to Ledecky waving at her before winning the gold in her 1500-meter freestyle. In video clips that have since circulated online, Lowrey is seen cheering Ledecky on from the stands, carrying an American flag. When Ledecky waves at her, Lowrey’s jaw drops in pure excitement.

Katie Ledecky has one adorable superfan in Madden "Maddi" Lowrey! After the swimming superstar captured the gold in the 1500m freestyle final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, she waved at the 8-year-old in the stands, resulting in the sweetest viral moment! pic.twitter.com/0CgEKPoc59
— Access Hollywood (@accesshollywood) August 2, 2024

Though Lowrey didn’t get a chance to meet Ledecky personally while in Paris, she received the ultimate surprise once she returned home to Marysville, Kansas.

In a special clip for Access Hollywood, Ledecky surprises Lowery with a FaceTime call.

“I’ve been in touch with her over Instagram for a little bit,” says Ledecky before FaceTiming Lowery. “But now I finally get to meet her.”

Access Hollywood anchor Scott Evans then makes the video call to Lowrey, and asks her “How cool would it be to meet her?”

Lowrey replies “My mom’s trying to get me to stop saying ‘really cool,’ but I don’t know how to say it.”

Ledecky provides her superfan with some reassurance, letting her know “You can say really cool.”

Upon seeing Ledecky on her FaceTime screen, Lowrey once again can’t contain her excitement, letting out an audible gasp. It appears Ledecky is equally excited to chat with her biggest fan.

“I’m so glad you came,” Ledecky tells Lowrey. “You brought a lot of spirit to our team!”

Lowrey herself is a swimmer, who dreams to make it to the Olympics too. And as we’ve seen though past Instagram photos, meet-ups with one’s idols — even virtual ones — can manifest into something bigger.

Ledecky wraps the conversation, promising Lowrey she will meet with her in person upon her return to the U.S.

In the meantime, Lowrey will likely have the most exciting story about how her summer went when she returns to school.

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This article first appeared on The Athlete Lifestyle on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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