Katie Ledecky’s excellent 800 freestyle document

There are only a few clear minimize favourites for the blue-riband occasions in swimming at Paris 2024, such is the extent of competitors.

Nonetheless, the ladies’s 800 free is an exception. As a returning three-time champion, who additionally boasts six world titles within the occasion, Ledecky is the stand-out athlete.

She presently owns the 29 quickest performances in historical past and her World Report sits 8.5 seconds away from the second-fastest performer.

The one latest blip on that document got here in March this yr. Ledecky misplaced an 800 free race for the primary time in additional than a decade when Summer season McIntosh clinched victory in Orlando. Nonetheless, the Canadian teenager, who turned the second-fastest swimmer ever within the occasion, is not going to compete within the occasion at Paris 2024 so as to think about her different occasions.

Regardless of having set the the world’s quickest time within the occasion this yr, Ledecky retains shut tabs on her competitors and was very conscious that she was barely slower than Titmus at their respective Trials.

“I’m a pupil of the game, I preserve monitor of what’s happening all over the world. I do know what everybody’s doing and I’m excited to race everybody,” Ledeckly, who was visibly annoyed along with her tempo, instructed reporters after.

Referring to the potential 400 free ultimate to come back, she mentioned: “What Ariarne and Summer season have completed is wonderful, and Paige (Madden) is doing very well so it’s going to be a very quick subject and I’m actually wanting ahead to it.”