United States’ swimmer Katie Ledecky broke her own world record on Sunday on the way to winning the women’s 400 meters freestyle gold medal at the Rio Olympics. The 19-year-old crushed the mark of 3:58.37 that she set almost two years ago on the Gold Coast of Australia, and had been chasing ever since. Smith gained ground in the final 100, but ultimately was unable to overtake Carlin, coming in at 4:01.92 for the bronze medal.
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Katie Ledecky is racing herself in the 400-meter freestyle.
Ledecky amazed in her global debut four years ago at the 2012 London Games, winning gold in the 800-meter freestyle, and has big goals for Rio.
The U.S. didn’t even qualify for the final of the 4×100 free relay a year ago at the worlds in Kazan, an embarrassing setback for the world’s most dominant swimming nation. In other words, that world record might get reset during primetime, and Ledecky is about to secure her first gold medal of the Games. At the U.S. Trials in 2012, she finished third and missed punching a ticket to London.
When Ledecky saw the time – 3 minutes, 56.46 seconds – she let out an uncharacteristic scream and pumped her right fist.
In the summer of 2014, she became the first woman since Janet Evans to simultaneously hold world records in the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle.
Phelps is expected to be part of the USA men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team that will contend for a gold medal.
Big things are expected of the United States women’s gymnasts, and it begins on Day 2 with qualifications.
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Already, six world records have been set in Rio.
