{"id":477681,"date":"2021-06-16T19:10:59","date_gmt":"2021-06-17T02:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=477681"},"modified":"2021-06-16T20:49:49","modified_gmt":"2021-06-17T03:49:49","slug":"u-s-olympic-trials-katie-ledecky-makes-history-as-1500-freestyle-door-opened-to-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/u-s-olympic-trials-katie-ledecky-makes-history-as-1500-freestyle-door-opened-to-women\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Olympic Trials: Katie Ledecky Makes History As 1500 Freestyle Door Opened to Women"},"content":{"rendered":"

U.S. Olympic Trials: Katie Ledecky Makes History As 1500 Freestyle Door Opened to Women<\/strong><\/p>\n

Flash back to 1984. The scene was Los Angeles, and for the first time in Olympic history, a women\u2019s marathon was contested. Its debut arrived 88 years after the men first raced the event at the inaugural Games in Athens, organizers of the track and field program finally recognizing that 26.2 miles could be handled just as competently by females as their male counterparts.<\/p>\n

Joan Benoit was the gold medalist.<\/p>\n

Next month, when the Olympic Games<\/a> are held in Tokyo after a one-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, swimming will have its marathon moment when the 1500-meter freestyle is first offered for women. It has been a men\u2019s event at every Olympics since 1904, but until now, women have only been challenged as far as 800 meters.<\/p>\n

Katie Ledecky<\/strong> is the overwhelming favorite to be the inaugural gold medalist.<\/p>\n

Completing a grueling double that featured a triumph in the 200 freestyle at the top of the evening, Ledecky cruised to victory in the 1500 free, clocking a championship-record time of 15:40.50. Not only did she prevail by more than 10 seconds over runnerup Erica<\/strong> Sullivan<\/strong><\/a> (15:51.18), Ledecky officially earned the right to chase history in Tokyo. Really, an inaugural 1500 free without her would be worthless.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s an event I\u2019ve always enjoyed,” Ledecky said. “We are making history tonight and in Tokyo. That’s fun in its own way and I\u2019ve always enjoyed the training it takes to swim a good mile. It takes a lot mental toughness and strategy. I am pleased with how it went. It was a well put together swim. I didn\u2019t die off or feel like I was dying on the back end.”<\/p>\n

In the near decade since she emerged as a 15-year-old Olympic champion at the 2012 Games in London, Ledecky has been the class of the sport \u2013 specifically the distance-freestyle events. Until now, though, her 30-lap talent has been limited to the World Championships and select Pro Series meets. When she gets to demonstrate her worth on the Olympic stage, it should be a coronation.<\/p>\n

The dominance shown by Ledecky in the metric mile is downright stunning. In addition to owning the 10-fastest performances in history, her world record of 15:20.48 sits 18 seconds clear of the No. 2 performer of all-time, Denmark\u2019s Lotte Friis<\/strong>. To see her anywhere but on the top step of the podium would mean disaster struck.<\/p>\n

Earlier in the session, Ledecky bested the field in the 200 freestyle, confirming the defense of her title from the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. In that event, Ledecky touched the wall in 1:55.11, the back half of her race the difference. Over the last two laps, Ledecky split 59.03, the only closing 100 under a minute.<\/p>\n

As Ledecky moved through the water in the 1500 freestyle, which started 90 minutes after the 200 free, she extended her lead with every stroke. It was a performance featuring power and grace and begged the question: How could women not be given this Olympic opportunity at an earlier time. Especially with the marathon added 37 years earlier, an obtuse view of women\u2019s abilities was clearly taken.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a father of four daughters, it\u2019s frustrating that it took this long,\u201d said three-time Olympic gold medalist and NBC broadcaster Rowdy<\/strong> Gaines<\/strong>. \u201cIt\u2019s unbelievable. Someone thought women were not strong enough, and 50 years ago, I guess you could understand it, not that I agree with it. It\u2019s a relief (for the athletes). I just feel bad for the generation that didn\u2019t get a chance. At least they\u2019re doing it now.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the addition of the 1500 freestyle for women, the International Olympic Committee made the move to add the 800 freestyle for men. Still, a decision could have been made earlier to either add both events, or drop the women\u2019s 800 free in favor of the 1500 freestyle. That approach would have demonstrated an appreciation for equal opportunity.<\/p>\n

The lack of the 1500 freestyle as an Olympic event robbed some big names of their chance at glory, such as Americans Debbie Meyer<\/strong>, Kim Linehan<\/strong> and Kate Ziegler<\/strong>. Count Aussies Ilsa Konrads<\/strong>, Shane Gould<\/strong> and Jenny Turall<\/strong> in the group, too. And, of course, we cannot forget Janet Evans<\/strong>, the woman who held the title of greatest distance female before Ledecky came along.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m grateful we have the mile now and I\u2019ve spoken about the equity we have there and that\u2019s the big step,” Ledecky said. “I don\u2019t know how much control I have over the schedule, but the men have it a little easier. I don\u2019t know if they will ever change but I\u2019m game for whatever.”<\/p>\n

In nabbing the second position, the 20-year-old Sullivan smashed her personal best and moved ahead of the iconic Evans to become the third-fastest American in event history. Sullivan showed guts from the start, pressing to stay as close to Ledecky as possible. She ultimately held off her Sandpipers teammate, Katie Grimes, who was charging at the finish and touched third in 15:52.12.<\/p>\n

The Olympic qualification of Sullivan can be considered a feel-good tale, as she initially was a recruit of the University of Southern California but endured several personal hardships. Not only did Sullivan’s father pass way, she took time to address her mental health and worked on cleaning up some academic issues. Now, she will race in the first Olympic 1500 freestyle for her gender, along with the legendary Ledecky.<\/p>\n

“I was supposed to hold it a little bit better and come back a little faster,” Sullivan said. “But I think the adrenaline of the race really amped me up for the first half and I think it set me up in a really good spot where if I did die, which I did, I was in a good spot.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m proud of the mental health barriers that I got through with my dad dying in 2017 and really hitting rock bottom in 2018 (from) the stress of losing a parent at 16 and having to get over the anxiety, the panic attacks, the PTSD and all of that. I\u2019m so happy that I was able to overcome those.”<\/p>\n

Results:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Katie Ledecky, 15:40.50
\n2. Erica Sullivan, 15:51.18
\n3. Katie Grimes, 15:52.12
\n4. Haley Anderson, 15:55.60
\n5. Ashley Twichell, 16:01.62
\n6. Ally McHugh, 16:08.52
\n7. Sierra Schmidt, 16:08.69
\n8. Kensey McMahon, 16:20.03<\/p>\n