There was little doubt Katie Ledecky would take dwelling gold within the 1500 freestyle. The one query was her margin of victory.
Ledecky set an Olympic file with a successful time of 15:30.02 and gained her eighth profession Olympic gold medal. That ties her with American swimmer Jenny Thompson for essentially the most all-time, and with People Natalie Coughlin and Dara Torres and Canadian Emma McKeon for many complete medals with 12.
She’d have extra if the Olympics had included the 1500 earlier than the Tokyo Video games, the place Ledecky additionally gained gold. The 27-year-old now has the 20 quickest 1500 instances in historical past and hasn’t misplaced a 1500 race since she was 13 years previous. In Wednesday’s closing, she completed greater than 10 seconds forward of silver medalist Anastasiya Kirpichnikova.
Ledecky is favored to win a ninth gold medal within the 800 freestyle, an occasion she’s gained in three straight Olympics, beginning in 2012 in London. She’ll even be within the 4×200 free relay, the place McKeon and the Australian staff are heavy favorites, however the USA has a great opportunity at a medal. Ledecky gained gold in that occasion in 2016 and a silver on the Tokyo Video games.
By the point her profession ends, Ledecky could also be as far forward within the profession medal rely than she was within the 1500 closing.Â
