>But don't tell me that Katie Ledecky didn't put in a huge amount of effort

Perhaps you should try reading the article, because it doesnt say that. Its a 5 minute read, although perhaps you shouldn't bother because most others dont appear to have either.

Edit: actually, I daresay the contention of the article is the exact opposite: its likely that ledecky put in the least effort out of anyone.

The contention of the article is premised on using a nonstandard definition.

And THAT is done to let them make a clickbait title.

One might say - by their definition? - that if you need to resort to a clickbait title to get engagement, you're putting in too much effort!