Katie Ledecky will be looking for an unprecedented fourth consecutive gold medal in the 800-meter freestyle when she competes in her final event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Ledecky first won gold as a 15-year-old at the 2012 London Games. She then set a world record in the event while repeating in Rio in 2016. Ledecky made it three in a row three years ago in Tokyo, setting the stage for her to do something no other female Olympic swimmer has ever accomplished. (Only Michael Phelps, in the 200-meter individual medley, has ever won the same event four consecutive times.)
In addition, one more gold medal for Ledecky would be her ninth, breaking a tie with Jenny Thompson and giving her the most by any American woman in Olympic history.
How did Katie Ledecky do in her 800 freestyle heat?
Ledecky cruised to a comfortable victory in her qualifying heat, one which included fellow American Paige Madden and 400 free gold medalist Ariarne Titmus of Australia.
2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.
Ledecky owns the fastest 16 times in history in this event, though this (8:16:62) was not one of them.
When does Katie Ledecky swim in 800 freestyle final?
Katie Ledecky will swim her final event of the 2024 Paris Olympics when she competes in the 800-meter freestyle final. The event is scheduled to start at 3:09 p.m. ET (9:09 p.m. in Paris) on Saturday, August 3.
Katie Ledecky 800 freestyle Olympic results
- 2012 London: Gold
- 2016 Rio de Janeiro: Gold (world record)
- 2020 Tokyo: Gold
- 2024 Paris: Final on Saturday, Aug. 3
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