Long before Katie Ledecky was collecting gold medals and setting world records, she seemed nonchalant about making it across the pool. But when she saw her competitors cruising past, something sparked within her. Many of her early swims took place at Palisades Swim & Tennis Club, a wooded, family friendly setting in Cabin John, Md., near Washington. Her final meet at the club was in 2014, two years after she had won her first Olympic gold medal. “Palisades” is the first chapter of her new memoir, “Just Add Water,” which comes out on Tuesday, and the club’s pool remains her most meaningful place to swim.

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Persons: Long, Katie Ledecky, “ Organizations: Palisades Swim, Tennis Club Locations: John, Md, Washington