Katie Ledecky won 4 gold medals but can't have a free waffle maker

Katie Ledecky won four gold medals and set two world records at the Olympics this summer. But on Wednesday, she had to concede what some 19-year-olds would consider an even more valuable prize — a free waffle maker.

Blame the NCAA.

In her appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Ledecky faced off against American Ninja Warrior's Grant McCartney in a game of "Foot Flickers." DeGeneres let both contestants know they'd be competing for a waffle maker.

But Ledecky — who moves into her freshman dorm at Stanford this week — made it clear she's a college athlete now, meaning NCAA regulations prevent her from accepting gifts or "extra benefits" not authorized by the NCAA.

Ledecky is one of the most decorated female U.S. Olympic athletes in history, and could conceivably have made millions in endorsements had she foregone her commitment to Stanford and gone pro.

We're not saying Ledecky's decision between college and professional swimming can or should be boiled down to a waffle maker. But still. This is a particularly strange example of amateurism at work, in which the NCAA reaps the fruits of its young athletes' labor.

And, it's worth noting, Ledecky still won "Foot Flickers" on DeGeneres' show, prize or not.

Pride will have to suffice.

No waffles for now.