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Meet Katie Ledecky's rivals for the 400m freestyle final at the Paris Olympics 2024: All about the American's competition for gold medal
Katie Ledecky started off her Paris Olympics 2024 campaign on a high in the women's 400m freestyle heats. The American was placed in the second heat of the competition, and not only did Ledecky win that with ease, but in doing so, she also defeated the world record holder, Ariarne Titmus.
Ledecky won the 400m freestyle gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, she lost the crown to Titmus at the COVID-delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The 27-year-old has been in blistering form this, and as she looks to reclaim the gold in the distance, she emerged fastest in the heats, recording a time of 4:02.19 to qualify for the finals.
Who is Katie Ledecky facing in the 400m freestyle finals?
The top eight swimmers with the fastest times in the heats directly qualify for the finals if the event distance is more than 200m. Let's take a look a who Katie Ledecky will take on in the battle for gold in the 400m freestyle finals later today.
#Ariarne Titmus
Ariarne Titmus placed second in the 400m freestyle behind Katie Ledecky in the heat 3. She recorded a time of 4:02.46, lagging 0.27s behind the American. The Australian is the world recorder over the distance and is the favorite to defend her 400m freestyle title. However, with Ledecky gaining a psychological advantage, it sets up for an exciting battle.
#Erika Fairweather
Erika Fairweather emerged triumphant in the heat 2 of the women's 400m freestyle. She recorded a time of 4:02.55, third fastest, to qualify for the finals. The New Zealander has been in sensational form this year and holds a personal best time of 3:59.59s over the distance.
#Summer McIntosh
Summer McIntosh finished second in the women's 400m freestyle heat 2 behind Erika Fairweather. She clocked a time of 4:02.65 to finish as fourth fastest from the heats and qualify for the finals. The Canadian holds a personal best of 3:56.08 in the event and will be Katie Ledecky’s second toughest opponent after Arianna Titmus.
#Jamie Perkins
Jamie Perkins is another Australian who qualified for the 400m freestyle finals. She finished third in heat 3 with a time of 4:03.30. The Australian was the fifth fastest swimmer of the heats and it also marked her new personal best in the event.
#Paige Madden
Katie Ledecky's teammate, Paige Madden also qualified for the finals as the sixth fastest swimmer in the 400m freestyle heats. She recorded a time of 4:03.34 to finish third in heat 2. The American holds a personal best of 4:02.08 and is likely going to break it in the finals, irrespective of whether she medals or not.
#Maria Fernando Costa
Maria Fernando Costa is a Brazilian swimmer who qualified for the 400m freestyle finals. She was seventh fastest in the heats, and fifth in heat 3 with a time of 4:03.47. Costa has a personal best of 4:02.86 in the distance.
#Isabel Gose
Isabel Gose was the third fastest in the women's 400m freestyle heat 3 and eighth fastest overall. She clocked 4:03.83 to qualify for the finals. The German swimmer holds a personal best of 4:02.39 in the distance.
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