There may not have been a more clear favourite at the 2024 Paris Games than Katie Ledecky in the women’s 1500m freestyle.
The long-distance guru has the 19 fastest times in the annals of the competition and took first place in the 1500m at Tokyo.
It wasn’t whether Ledecky would win the race, but rather how large of a margin, since pictures of her finishing so far ahead of her rivals that they’re out of frame often went viral.
With her eighth career Olympic gold medal, Ledecky tied swimming legend Jenny Thompson for the most gold medals won by an American woman with a time of 15:30.02, an Olympic record and 10 seconds faster than the next finisher.
Additionally, she equalled Thompson, Natalie Coughlin, and Dara Torres for the record for the most medals ever won by a woman from the United States (12).
After the race, the distance swimmer took stock of his achievements. She said, “I try not to think about history too much.
I know those names, those people I grew up with.” When I initially began swimming, I was inspired by these individuals.
Being mentioned among them is thus an honour. I appreciate how they have motivated me. Many excellent swimmers have contributed to my success up to this point.”
Coughlin was there to formally launch the swim practice with “les trois coups,” a custom that precedes events at Paris 2024, as a surprise and omen of things to come.
Ledecky was.11 seconds ahead of her own world record at the 500-meter mark, as the race proceeded as scheduled. In 2013, she surpassed the world record and went on to reset it five more times.
However, the battle for second was thrilling at the 500-meter mark. Isabel Gose of Germany, Simona Quadarella of Italy, and Anastasia Kirpichnikova of France were almost tied.
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Even though Ledecky was six seconds slower than her world record pace with 400 meters to go, she was still faster than the Olympic record.
Her average lap time was constantly in the 31-second area, demonstrating her actual superiority. As Quadarella and Gose fought for bronze, Kirpichnikova comfortably retained second position.
Ledecky was comfortably ahead of the pack as the final lap bell sounded, leaving only the possibility that she would set a new Olympic record.
As she touched the wall, the audience roared for a long time. Her career best time at the distance was 15:30.02, placing her ninth.
Ultimately, Gose of Germany took home bronze with a time of 15:41.16, while Kirpichnikova of France managed to hold on for silver.
In the women’s 400m freestyle, Ledecky had already taken home a medal. The women’s 4x200m freestyle relay on Thursday will be her next chance to win a gold.
She would become the most decorated female American Olympian in history if she were to pull off that feat, marking her 13th career Olympic medal. All things considered, she would only behind Michael Phelps (28).
The women’s 800m freestyle will provide Ledecky with her next chance to win a gold on her own. The final is scheduled on Saturday, August 3, after the preliminary heats on Friday, August 2.
