Cue up "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "See, the Conquering Hero Comes." What the hell, let's put Mark Knopfler's "Going Home" in there as well. Katie Ledecky, all of 15 years old and about to begin her sophomore year at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, is back in the U.S.
She and her family arrived at Dulles Airport from Heathrow Monday night three days after winning gold in the women's 800m freestyle swimming race. Ledecky family friend Ted Leonsis spread the word about her impending arrival and, of course, people were out in force.
Erika Gonzalez of NBC4 also made the trek out to Loudoun County, and she got the photos you'll see below the jump.
Congratulations, Katie, from all of us at SB Nation DC. Look forward to following you in Rio four years from now (and in all of the big events in between, of course!)