Swimming: Katie Ledecky dominates women’s 1500m freestyle final
There was never really any doubt, was there? Katie Ledecky has absolutely dominated this women’s 1500m freestyle final.
With 400m to go, Ledecky is more than half a length ahead of second and third, French swimmer Anastasiia Kirpichnikova and Italy’s Simona Quadarella, with Germany’s Isabel Gose also in the conversation.
The crowd is roaring Kirpichnikova on at every turn, and that’s where this real race is: who will take silver and bronze.
At the front, Ledecky leads by seven seconds at 1200m, but Kirpichnikova appears to have gone clear of Quadarella and Gose! Ledecky will be looking at 15:35.35, her current Olympic record, as a target mark.
Just 200 to go. We are watching perhaps the greatest women’s endurance swimmer in the pool ever, and Ledecky continues to extend the lead.
They come back for the bell. Ledecky leads from Kirpichnikova, who is a length and a bit clear of Quadarella and Gose.
Listen to that roar for Kirpichnikova! Ledecky has turned the speed up now too. It won’t be a world record but the Olympic record is under threat.
Isabel Gose is making a move on Kirpichnikova! Quadarella has been dropped.
Katie Ledecky wins gold in 15:30.02, a new Olympic record. She punches the water in delight.
Kirpichnikova holds on for silver! The crowd goes wild! 10.33 seconds behind.
Isabel Gose beats Simona Quadarella for bronze.
Katie Ledecky now owns the 20 fastest women’s 1500m free times in history.
A little jump for joy and both arms in the air in celebration as she exits the pool.
If it was loud for the silver medal for Kirpichnikova, it’s about to become a lot louder for Léon Marchand’s victory ceremony.
