Phelps likely has one more event to go in Rio for a chance at a sixth gold medal.
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She won five medals and became the third American swimmer, after Amy Van Dyken and Missy Franklin, to win four golds.
On paper, it was a three-horse race a best for for the top spot on the podium.
Ledecky rarely shows her emotions, maintaining the sort of even keel that works so well in the pool.
Ledecky turned in a split of 1 minute, 53.74 seconds, which was almost 2.5 seconds faster than her next-fastest teammate, Allison Schmitt in 1:56.21.
“I’m just honored to be part of the tradition of American freestyle swimming, and I want to make them proud”, Ledecky said, according to USA Today.
Women’s soccer heads into the quarterfinals, with the US taking on Sweden in the morning.
Ledecky, 19, has gold medals in the women’s 400-meter freestyle and 200-meter freestyle.
The teenager from suburban Washington has one more race to go, and it might be the biggest lock of all. She will leave with two more world records under her ledger, making it 13 for her career, with Friday night marking the fifth time she has lowered the record in the 800 and the third time in a little more than a year.
It has been a hugely eventful Olympic judo competition which included the first Olympic medal for Kosovo and some inspirational performances from two Congolese refugee judokas.
She also is the first woman since 1968 to sweep the 200, 400 and 800 races in a single Olympics.
Meanwhile, in a stunner, Michael Phelps has been beaten. He’ll swim the 200-meter individual medley final in pursuit of a record fourth consecutive title in the event and return about 30 minutes later for the 100 butterfly semifinals. The men’s 100-metre dash final Sunday in track and field will begin and end in the time she spent waiting.
Lochte will be right next to him again, ranking second in 1:56.28.
With four gold medals at these games and 22 for his career, Phelps has an opportunity to pick up one more before he leaves Rio.
In the women’s 200m backstroke, Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu remained on course for her fourth individual gold of the Games after leading the way in two minutes 06.09 seconds, ahead of Canada’s Hillary Caldwell.
Rhode overcame four years of pain following the London Games to succeed on Friday.
Smith touched the wall in a time of 8:20.95, which bettered her preliminary time of 8:21.43.
Victor of three golds already in Rio, Phelps duels longtime friend and rival Ryan Lochte in the 200 IM.
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After Phelps’ 100 m butterfly event wraps up, Ledecky will take center stage in the 800 m freestyle.
