Ledecky set another world record en route to her fourth gold medal, and Phelps won medal No. 27.
Advertisement
Great Britain’s Jazz Carlin won her second silver medal of the Rio Games as Katie Ledecky set a new world record in the 800m freestyle to achieve a fourth gold. Then she added “I also think we played a bunch of cowards”.
Ledecky, who shot to prominence with her surprise victory in the 800m free in London four years ago, touched nearly half a length in front of her closest rivals – silver medallist Jazz Carlin of Britain (8:16.17) and bronze medallist Boglarka Kapas of Hungary (8:16.37).
Maya DiRado touched the wall an instant ahead of Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu to pull of a surprising victory in the 200-meter backstroke.
In Friday’s competition, the Italian shooters dominated, with Diana Bacosi taking the gold and her teammate, Chiara Cainero, winning the silver. Ledecky won the same three events here in Rio.
Anthony Ervin, the oldest US man to swim an individual event in the Olympics since 1904, edged France’s Florent Manaudou at the finish, 21.40 seconds to 21.41.
“What she’s doing in the sport is ridiculous, it’s insane”, said Michael Phelps, the 22-time gold medalist who plans to retire again after his final race on Saturday. The 21-year-old Schooling has come a long way since this photo he took with Phelps in 2008. After winning four gold medals at these games and looking unbeatable, Phelps finally ran out of steam in what was the final individual race of his career unless he decides to come out of retirement again.
Phelps settled for silver in the 100 butterfly, tying for second with two longtime rivals, Chad le Clos of South Africa and Laszlo Cseh of Hungary. They touched in 51.14. It was great to be part of such an incredible race. “It’s kind of special and a decent way to finish my last individual race”. If a 12-second win in the final of an Olympic race isn’t the sign of a juggernaut, I’m not sure what is.
So it was only natural that she would be asked about Simone Manuel’s stunning gold medal in the 100 freestyle the night before. It was four lengths – or maybe it was five – at the halfway point. The Americans, the only country with four players, were still lingering. But what’s particularly insane is that she’s set these records in a way that’s “actually a little bit handicapped”, according to Joyner. Kristin Otto of East Germany won six gold medals at the 1988 Seoul Games.
Advertisement
So it was unusual to see him, after what he insists was his final individual race as an Olympian, crowding onto a medal stand with two other swimmers. The Americans, led by top-ranked Alexander Massialas and Gerek Meinhardt, throttled Italy 45-31 for its third medal in fencing so far at the Rio Games. Nadal also reached the semifinals in his bid for a second Olympic singles gold, overcoming his Brazilian opponent and a racous, flag-waving home crowd.
