Katie Ledecky Claims 800m Freestyle Gold at World Aquatics Championships
American swimmer Katie Ledecky secured her seventh world title in the women’s 800-meter freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships on March 15, 2024. She outpaced notable competitors, including Summer McIntosh from Canada and Australia’s Lani Pallister, to clinch the gold medal in a thrilling final.
Thrilling Race Highlights Ledecky’s Dominance
During this championship, expectations were high as Ledecky, a seasoned star, faced off against the 18-year-old McIntosh, who was aiming to match Michael Phelps‘ record of five gold medals in a single world championship. Earlier in the week, McIntosh had triumphed in the 400m freestyle, but Ledecky showcased her strength in longer distances in this event.
From the start, all three swimmers established a fast pace, remaining under world-record time at the halfway point. Ledecky ultimately finished with a championship-record time of 8:05.62, just over a second shy of her own world record. Pallister finished a mere 0.36 seconds behind, while McIntosh completed the race in third place, another 1.31 seconds back.
Ledecky’s Winning Strategy and Reflections
“We got three under 8:10 there. That’s pretty incredible,” Ledecky remarked post-race. “Lani with the 8:05, Summer with the 8:07. That’s incredibly fast and they pushed me all the way. I’m just really happy I could put that together.” She credited her successful performance to trusting her legs, emphasizing her improved kicking technique.
Despite a brief moment with about 100 meters to go when McIntosh moved ahead, Ledecky maintained the lead for most of the race. She expressed her enjoyment of the competition, saying, “I don’t feel like I have anything to lose at this point in my career. I just enjoy it every time I get to walk out in front of a crowd like this and swim against the best in the world.”
This victory marks Ledecky’s second gold medal at this championship, adding to her earlier win in the 1,500-meter event. With this latest achievement, she now holds a remarkable total of 23 world titles throughout her illustrious career.
For McIntosh, the championships have also been fruitful, with three gold medals already secured in the 200m butterfly, 400m freestyle, and 200m medley. She is set to compete for a fourth gold in the 400m individual medley on March 17, 2024.
