Anthony Nesty, who currently guides Katie Ledecky’s training, has built an impressive career both in and out of the pool. Before becoming one of the world’s top swim coaches, he earned Olympic gold in the 100m butterfly at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. Today, he leads the University of Florida Swimming program as Head Coach.
This is a significant achievement for him and his community, as he is the first Black head coach of the U.S. Olympic swimming team. Under Coach Nesty’s guidance, Ledecky has attained remarkable accolades in her swimming career. Her transition to the University of Florida and the coaching she received there allowed her to adopt a new training routine, leading to immense success in both the 800 and 1500-meter events.
Ledecky’s consecutive gold medals at the World Aquatics Championship, totaling six, along with her dominating performances, have enabled her to surpass Michael Phelps’ record for the most individual gold medals. These accomplishments are clear evidence of the collective efforts of Team USA swimmers, which not only elevate their achievements but also revolutionize the entire world of swimming.
Where Does Katie Ledecky Train in 2025?
Ledecky trains at the University of Florida in Gainesville, and she moved post-Tokyo Olympics (2021). She trains with top swimmers like Bobby Finke and Kieran Smith. She’s also a volunteer assistant coach.
The seven-time Olympic gold medallist had spoken about her training and change to come to the University of Florida. While speaking to Swim Swam, she said, “I train with the guys, but it is a combined program. So a lot of our practices are combined with the women’s team as well. So the separate practices, I swim with the men, but then we’re combined about 70 percent of the practices.”
After that, Katie Ledecky was also questioned whether the practice of Coach Nesty is distinct from Coach Meehan’s. Ladecky replied, stating it took her a few weeks to get used to the practice, and she is enjoying it. “The practices are a little different, and I’m still getting adjusted to them. But I think every team has a different kind of weekly cycle and different practices, different days. So just kind of the order of the practices is different and kind of the yardage and just getting accustomed to the flow of a week.”
Why Did Ledecky Switch from Stanford to Florida?
Katie previously trained under Greg Meehan at Stanford but wanted a stronger day-to-day training group. Florida has long been recognized as a premier destination for elite distance swimmers, thanks to its high-performance training environment, expert coaching, and state-of-the-art facilities. Since transferring to the University of Florida, she has thrived, enjoying both the competitive atmosphere of meets and the camaraderie during practice sessions with her teammates.
Her dedication and hard work paid off in 2022 when she achieved an impressive four gold medals at the World Championships, solidifying her status as one of the top swimmers in her category. Subsequently, at the FINA Swimming World Cup, she competed fiercely in the 1500 meters short course event, delivering an outstanding performance that resulted in her breaking the previous record set by German swimmer Sarah Köhle. She completed the race with a remarkable time of 15:08.24, showcasing her extraordinary talent and determination in the pool.
Who Were Her Previous Coaches?
Before training under Anthony Nesty, Katie Ledecky worked with several top coaches during different stages of her career. Here are some of the coaches that she has worked with:
Yuri Suguiyama – Nation’s Capital Swim Club (until 2012 Olympics)
Bruce Gemmell – NCAP (2012–2016), during her Rio domination
Greg Meehan – Stanford (2017–2021), including Tokyo 2020
How Does Her Training Setup Help Her Performance?
Katie has structured swim sets, strength work, and training journals. It is also important to train alongside top male athletes for pace and endurance.
Katie Ledecky’s training emphasizes the optimization of her swimming technique, the development of endurance and power, and the management of a condition known as POTS. These elements all contribute to her outstanding performance. Her training regimen includes extensive pool workouts, gym sessions, and recovery techniques, all aimed at maximizing her speed, efficiency, and overall well-being.
While standing on the South Lawn after the ceremony, Ledecky said, “It’s not an experiment because it’s the real thing. It’s something that I knew would help me in my career at this point, training with some of the top male distance swimmers in the world and being in that environment.”What do you think about her change of university and coach? Tell us in the comments below.
The post Who Is Katie Ledecky’s Coach? All About Anthony Nesty and Where She Trains in 2025 appeared first on EssentiallySports.