Katie Ledecky and the women’s 1500m freestyle may have been the clearest favourite of all the events at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Having won the 1500m in its first Tokyo competition, the long-distance specialist has the 19 fastest performances in the event’s history.
It was never in doubt whether Ledecky would win, just by how much, in a race that was made famous by images of her finishing so far ahead of her rivals that they were out of focus.
With an Olympic record time of 15:30.02, Ledecky finished 10 seconds ahead of the next competitor and secured her eighth career gold medal in swimming, tying swimming great Jenny Thompson for the most gold medals won by an American woman in international competition.
Moreover, she shared the record for the most medals ever won by an American woman in history (12), sharing it with Thompson, Natalie Coughlin, and Dara Torres.
Following the competition, the distance swimmer took stock of his achievement. I’m up with those names and those individuals, so I try not to worry about history too much,” she said.
Back when I first began swimming, I looked up to them. To be included among them is therefore an honour. Thanks to them, I’m inspired. I have had a lot of assistance from excellent swimmers to reach this point.
Coughlin was there to formally launch the swim practice with “les trois coups,” which is a custom carried out before to events at Paris 2024, as a surprise and omen of things to come.
With.11 seconds to spare, Ledecky led her own world record before the halfway point of the race. Having broken the record five more times, she took over the global record in 2013.
ALSO READ:
- Simone Biles becomes most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast, leads Team USA to women’s team gold
- Americans Jagger Eaton and Nyjah Huston medal in skateboarding street
- Stephen Nedoroscik had one job in Paris — and it helped break a 16-year medal drought for Team USA’s male gymnasts
- Simone Biles’ gritty performance helps U.S. take lead during Olympic qualifications
Though there was a thrilling battle for second at the 500-meter mark. Simona Quadarella of Italy, Isabel Gose of Germany, and Anastasia Kirpichnikova of France were almost tied for first place.
Ledecky was still faster than the Olympic record with 400 meters to go, but she had fallen six seconds short of her world record time. She often averaged lap times in the 31-second area, demonstrating her genuine superiority. Gose and Quadarella were vying for bronze, while Kirpichnikova comfortably maintained second position.
The only concern was whether Ledecky could set a new Olympic record as she was clearly leading when the final lap bell sounded.
As she made contact with the wall, the audience erupted in a huge yell. At this distance, her time of 15:30.02 was the seventh fastest of her career.
With a time of 15:41.16, Germany’s Gose took home bronze, while France’s Kirpichnikova managed to hold on for silver.
In the women’s 400-meter freestyle, Ledecky previously took home the medal. Thursday’s women’s 4x200m freestyle relay offers her the next chance to win a gold.
The most decorated female Olympian in American history, she would win her 13th career medal in the Olympics if she succeeds in that endeavour. Her total deficit would be limited to that of Michael Phelps (28).
In the women’s 800m freestyle, Ledecky will have her next chance to win a medal on her own. August 2, Friday, is the day for the preliminary heats, and August 3, Saturday, is the day for the final.