“I can’t stop smiling, it’s been like that all week though, so it’s not really new. It’s been so many years in the making to do it tonight.” Katie Ledecky said, grinning ear to ear in May at the TYR Pro Series meet in Florida. And who could blame her? The 28-year-old had just won the women’s 800m freestyle — but that wasn’t all. She didn’t just win; she broke her own world record. Yep, her previous mark of 8:04.79 was history. The new one? 8:04.12. It was just another chapter in a story that’s been building since she was 15. That’s when a young Ledecky shocked the world, crushing the competition in the 800m freestyle to win her first Olympic gold. Then came Rio — another gold, another world record. And the story hasn’t stopped growing since. There are a lot more pages in this one.
Last year at the Paris Olympics, Katie Ledecky lost the 400m freestyle battle to the Dolphins’ Ariarne Titmus and Canada’s young star, Summer McIntosh. But when it came to the 800m freestyle? No one touched her — not even Titmus. She clocked 8:11.04 and grabbed her ninth Olympic gold. Twelve years in, and she was still the queen of the 800. And this year? You already know the story — another world record, more dominance. The crazy part? The top ten all-time women’s 800m freestyle performances — Katie owns nine of them. And two of those came just this year. But… here’s the twist. Things could take a turn at the upcoming Singapore World Championships.
Anything in the sky? Yep — Summer McIntosh. She’s the only swimmer besides Katie Ledecky to break into the all-time top 10 in the women’s 800m freestyle. Earlier this year at the Canadian Trials, McIntosh threw down an 8:05.07 — that’s now the third-fastest time ever. And get this — last year, before the Paris Olympics, McIntosh actually stunned Ledecky in the 800m freestyle at the USA Swimming 2024 Southern Zone South Sectionals. That was Katie’s first loss in the event after a 13-year winning streak. And the timing?
Paris 2024 Olympics – Swimming Training – Paris La Defense Arena, Nanterre, France – July 25, 2024 Katie Ledecky of the U.S. during training ahead of the event. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina
Summer McIntosh’s 8:11.39 from the 2024 Sectionals? That sits at 23rd on the all-time list now. But let’s be real — she’s been the only one constantly pushing the American legend in the 800m over the past couple of years. And she’s not done. This year, she threw down an 8:09.86, which now sits 13th all-time. So yeah, the showdown in Singapore? It’s definitely not looking like a one-sided race. Funny thing — we could’ve seen this clash at the Paris Olympics too, but McIntosh pulled out of the 800m freestyle to focus on the 200m medley, 200m butterfly, and 400m medley. She ended up winning gold in all three. If that doesn’t scream “formidable,” what does? So… is Ledecky concerned about the Canadian phenom’s rise?
Katie Ledecky knows the reality
Last year, the Washington D.C. native made it clear she’s always watching the horizon. Speaking to Olympics.com, Katie Ledecky said, “I’m a student of the sport, I keep track of what’s going on around the world. I know what everyone’s doing and I’m excited to race everyone.” And yep — that “everyone” definitely includes Summer McIntosh.
Fast forward to this year, and Ledecky doubled down: “It’s great to have good competition…It’s it’s what you want. You want to compete against the world’s best.” Well, the wait’s almost over. In just a week, the swimming world will witness the two best women in the 800m freestyle go head-to-head in Singapore.
Paris 2024 Olympics – Swimming – Women’s 200m Butterfly Victory Ceremony – Paris La Defense Arena, Nanterre, France – August 01, 2024. Gold medallist Summer McIntosh of Canada holds the flag of Canada. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
But here’s where it gets even juicier. Summer McIntosh’s coach, Fred Vergnoux, recently dropped some bold thoughts in an interview with CBC Sports. “When we talk with Summer, we don’t talk about any limits. And that’s something that I really enjoy with her. We have a very high level of expectation. We expect a lot more.” So what’s “a lot more”? Maybe taking down Katie Ledecky? Vergnoux didn’t hold back: “I think she’s [Summer] swam (the 800 freestyle) four or five times. [She has] no experience in the 800 freestyle. I think Summer can go under eight minutes and be the first one to the break long course [world record], no question.” Under eight minutes? That’s a line no one has crossed — not even Ledecky. Suddenly, the Singapore showdown feels like a lot more than just another race.
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