Katie Ledecky Smashes 400 Free World Record; Earns First Gold Medal For USA

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Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS

Women’s 400 Free FINAL:

Katie Ledecky earned the USA their first Olympic swimming gold medal in true Ledecky fashion. The nineteen-year-old continued her distance dominance by lowering her own world record by close to two full seconds, stopping the clock at a 3:56.46 and becoming the first American to win the women’s 400 free since 2000. Ledecky finished almost five seconds ahead of the competition giving her ample time to recognize her world record and begin cheering as the race for second headed towards the wall.

Great Britain’s Jazz Carlin edged out Leah Smith of the USA for the silver medal. Carlin turned up the heat on her kick to pull ahead of Smith and clock a 4:01.23. Smith settled for the bronze and a final time of 4:01.92.

Hungary’s Boglarka Kapas picked up fourth with a 4:02.37 from an outside lane, just ahead of Canada’s Brittany Maclean and her 4:04.69.

The Australian duo of Tamsin Cook and Jessica Ashwood kept a close race for sixth and seventh with times of 4:05.30 and 4:05.68 respectively.

France’s Coralie Balmy rounded out the top eight with a 4:06.98.

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Fred Clausen II

7 years ago

*second gold medal for the USA.

Sarah Montplaisir

7 years ago

Reply to Fred Clausen II

1st for swimming

Fred Clausen II

7 years ago

Reply to Fred Clausen II

Sarah Montplaisir headline didn’t stipulate that

Susan Eliasson Nangle

7 years ago

USA got Gold AND Silver -I’d say that’s big too!

John Martin

7 years ago

Didnt the air rifle woman win the first ?

Jennifer Lamb

7 years ago

Reply to John Martin

Yes

Mary-Helen Hopkins

7 years ago

Going for a hat trick: 200, 400, 800! Best female freestyler ever, IMHO!

Pat Kennedy

7 years ago

Congratulations ladies. Great swims. GO TEAM USA

Laura Petrini

7 years ago

I’m glad you included Leah Smith’s picture,her amazing bronze medal effort kinda got overshadowed by Katie’s world record. Katie is AMAZING but so is Leah!???