Michael Phelps Says Katie Ledecky Is Like Him ‘Way Back in the Day’

Michael Phelps praised fellow Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky in a new interview published Sunday, comparing the 19-year-old competitor to a younger version of himself.

Phelps, who is 30 and a 22-time Olympic medalist, complimented Ledecky’s skill and focus and said the “strong swimmer” is ready to take on the U.S. Olympic trials in Omaha, USA Today Sports reports.