‘Number of Olympic gold medals won by Katie Ledecky’ NYT Mini Crossword clue Aug. 19 answer and hints

Katie Ledecky is an American swimmer who competed in the 2012, 2016, 2020, and finally the 2024 Olympics. As an elite swimmer, she’s won numerous medals—and exactly how many is one of the clues in today’s NYT Crossword puzzle.

This clue, “Number of Olympic gold medals won by Katie Ledecky,” is from the NYT’s Aug. 19 Mini Crossword, and if you haven’t followed Ledecky’s career, it’s a tough one.

‘Number of Olympic gold medals won by Katie Ledecky’ NYT Mini Crossword clue (Aug. 19) hints and answer

• Hint 1: It starts with an “N.”
• Hint 2: It rhymes with “fine.”
• Hint 3: It contains two vowels.
• Hint 4: It’s the number before 10.

The answer to the “Number of Olympic gold medals won by Katie Ledecky” clue is “NINE.” All up, Ledecky’s earned 14 Olympic medals across the past four Olympic Games; a feat that puts her among the best in the entire world. The U.S. contender is considered the swimming GOAT by many and is the fifth most decorated Olympian of all time.

NYT Aug. 19 Mini Crossword puzzle: All clues and answers

Across

• 1A Leaves a couple bucks on the bar counter—TIPS
• 5A Opera solo—ARIA
• 6A Package before sending—BOX UP
• 8A Number of Olympic gold medals won by Katie Ledecky—NINE
• 9A What fur quarters can equal—YEAR

Down

• 1D Browser subwindow—TAB
• 2D A maintenance shop with a broken doorbell is an example of it—IRONY
• 3D Kind of short haircut for women—PIXIE
• 4D Spa room—SAUNA
• 7D Pay-___view—PER

Difficulty of the crossword clue ‘Number of Olympic gold medals won by Katie Ledecky’

While this clue was tricky, it wasn’t impossible to solve, so I’d give it a difficulty rating of three out of five. Ledecky’s one of the most decorated Olympic swimmers (and Olympians) of all time, but the number of gold medals she’s won probably eluded most. As a non-American, I certainly haven’t kept tabs on how many she’s won.

Puzzles to play after completing the NYT Mini Crossword

If you’d like to play more mini crossword puzzles, try the two from the LA Times or the Washington Post. They’re both mini crosswords that are released daily. Or, if you’re looking for a word game or two, try Strands or Spelling Bee.