Swimswam coverage of women’s 800 freestyle at the 2013 FINA World Championships:
Katie Ledecky won her fourth Gold medal of the World Championships after winning the 800 freestyle today during finals. Ledecky has already won the 400 freestyle, 1500 freestyle, and 4×200 freestyle relay along with Missy Franklin, Shannon Vreeland, and Karlee Bispo. She broke the world record in the 1500 freestyle by more than six seconds and continued that trend by breaking the World Record today in the women’s 800 freestyle. Ledecky, who made it on ESPN SportsCenter as number four in the top ten plays for her World Record in the 1500, swam a 8:13.86 to win the 800 freestyle today.
Not only did she break the World Record, but she set the American record and 15-16 National Age Group record. Not only did she break the National Age Group Record, she beat the 15-16 800 freestyle relay age group record by more than three seconds. That relay record is 8:17.06!!
Katie Ledecky has yet to lose a race in major international competition. Her only swim at the Olympics was the 800 freestyle, where she won the Gold medal. At the World championships, she has won the gold medal in every race she has been entered in. A very impressive feat for anyone, let alone a 16 year old.