2020 TOKYO SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
- When: Pool swimming: Saturday, July 24 – Sunday, August 1, 2021
- Open Water swimming: Wednesday, August 4 – Thursday, August 5, 2021
- Where: Olympic Aquatics Centre / Tokyo, Japan
- Heats: 7 PM / Semifinals & Finals: 10:30 AM (Local time)
- Full aquatics schedule
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The Olympics have officially seen their first podium in the women’s 1500 freestyle, with American Katie Ledecky un-surprisingly on top.
In a less-likely turn of events, Ledecky’s American teammate Erica Sullivan ran down the field to touch second in her first Olympic Games. Sullivan, only 20-years-old, obliterated her personal best of 15:46.67 that she set in the prelims to finish in a time of 15:41.41.
Behind Sullivan, German Sarah Kohler also set a personal best and German National record to win the bronze medal in a time of 15:42.91.
With their performances, Sullivan and Kohler move up to 5th and 7th on the all-time performers list, respectively.
Top-10 All-Time Performers: Women’s 1500 Freestyle
- Katie Ledecky: 15:20.48 (2018)
- Lotte Friis: 15:38.88 (2013)
- Lauren Boyle: 15:40.14 (2015)
- Simona Quadarella: 15:40.89 (2019)
- Erica Sullivan: 15:41.41 (2021)
- Jianjiahe Wang: 15:41.49 (2021)
- Kate Zeigler: 15:42.54 (2007)
- Sarah Kohler: 15:42.91 (2021)
- Alessia Filippi: 15:44.93 (2009)
- Maddy Gough: 15:46.13. (2021)
The podium marks the first-ever Olympic podium in the event, which was just introduced into the Olympic line-up.
Ledecky, the world record holder, took out the race fast, splitting 4:06.98 over the first 400 meters. However, she was never alone as China’s Jianjiahe Wang, Italy’s Simona Quadarella, and Germany’s Kohler were nipping right at her heels.
Gradually, Ledecky pulled away from the field, giving herself a 3.5 second lead. At the same time, Wang, Quadarella, and Kohler were all locked in a tight battle for second. Then, around the 1000m mark, Sullivan began to creep up on the field as Wang and Quadarella fell-off the pace. Overtaking them, Sullivan found herself in a race for silver with Kohler.
When all was said-and-done, Ledecky charged into the wall to win her first gold medal of these Olympic Games in a time of 15:37.34. Sullivan managed to hold off Kohler for second, earning her first medal from an major international competition in the process.
First Time Olympic Swimming Champions Throughout History
By country:
- United States – 19
- Great Britain – 6
- Germany/East Germany – 3
- Australia/Australasia – 2
- Hungary – 1
- Netherlands – 1
- Yugoslavia – 1
Active Olympic pool events:
Women:
| Event | Year | Swimmer | Country |
| 50m freestyle | 1988 Seoul | Kristin Otto | East Germany |
| 100m freestyle | 1912 Stockholm | Fanny Durack | Australasia |
| 200m freestyle | 1968 Mexico City | Debbie Meyer | United States |
| 400m freestyle | 1924 Paris | Martha Norelius | United States |
| 800m freestyle | 1968 Mexico City | Debbie Meyer | United States |
| 1500m freestyle | 2020 Tokyo | Katie Ledecky | United States |
| 100m backstroke | 1924 Paris | Sybil Bauer | United States |
| 200m backstroke | 1968 Mexico City | Lillian Watson | United States |
| 100m breaststroke | 1968 Mexico City | Durdica Bjedov | Yugoslavia |
| 200m breaststroke | 1925 Paris | Lucy Morton | Great Britain |
| 100m butterfly | 1956 Melbourne | Shelley Mann | United States |
| 200m butterfly | 1968 Mexico City | Ada Kok | Netherlands |
| 200m IM | 1968 Mexico City | Claudia Kolb | United States |
| 400m IM | 1964 Tokyo | Donna de Varona | United States |
| 400 free relay | 1912 Stockholm | Great Britain | Great Britain |
| 800 free relay | 1996 Atlanta | United States | United States |
| 400 medley relay | 1960 Rome | United States | United States |
Men:
| Event | Year | Swimmer | Country |
| 50m freestyle | 1988 Seoul | Matt Biondi | United States |
| 100m freestyle | 1896 Athens | Alfred Hajos | Hungary |
| 200m freestyle | 1900 Paris | Frederick Lane | Australia |
| 400m freestyle | 1908 London | Henry Taylor | Great Britain |
| 1500m freestyle | 1908 London | Henry Taylor | Great Britain |
| 100m backstroke | 1908 London | Arno Bieberstein | Germany |
| 200m backstroke | 1900 Paris | Ernst Hoppenberg | Germany |
| 100m breaststroke | 1968 Mexico City | Don McKenzie | United States |
| 200m breaststroke | 1908 London | Frederick Holman | Great Britain |
| 100m butterfly | 1968 Mexico City | Doug Russell | United States |
| 200m butterfly | 1956 Melbourne | Bill Yorzyk | United States |
| 200m IM | 1968 Mexico City | Charlie Hickcox | United States |
| 400m IM | 1964 Tokyo | Dick Roth | United States |
| 400 free relay | 1964 Tokyo | United States | United States |
| 800 free relay | 1908 London | Great Britain | Great Britain |
| 400 medley relay | 1960 Rome | United States | United States |
Have to believe that Ledecky’s prowess is one of the factors that led them to institute the mile (finally) at the Olympics. Legend!
The double was gutsy and no one deserves victory more, but I wish she had dropped the 200 to preserve energy. It makes the 800 a more difficult task and it will be very close. Titmus is on a high and I think she will be about 3 seconds faster than her trials swim.
Based on what?
2021 Australian Trials
Women’s 200 meter freestyle
1:53.09
2021 Summer Olympics
Women’s 200 meter freestyle
1:53.50
Based on what?
2021 Australian Trials
Women’s 400 meter freestyle
3:56.90
2021 Tokyo Olympics
Women’s 400 meter freestyle
3:56.69
I thought Katie looked a bit tired in the race, too, which shouldn’t be surprising. She did exactly what she needed to do to get the victory. Sullivan was simply superb.
I predict that will be the last time Katie Ledecky swims the women’s 200 meter freestyle at a major international competition. Katie Ledecky will primarily focus on the following events in the future:
women’s 400 meter freestyle
women’s 800 meter freestyle
women’s 1500 meter freestyle
women’s 4 x 200 meter freestyle relay
The women’s 200 meter freestyle interferes with the women’s 1500 meter freestyle. The current schedule is too damn taxing.
No article for Titmus’ 200 free win in OR?
The Australian media wrote articles. Go to those websites troll.
There is also an article already written about it haha
Nope. Up to now there isn’t any
Will be next Olympic record holder in the 1500FR event older than 24? Is her achievement comparable with the Anthony Ervin’s Olympic gold medal in spring at the age of 36?
When I saw her completely unexpected overwhelmed emotions after finish I felt very strongly for her. She isn’t a freak of the nature but the exceptionally gifted person who with the hard work has been bringing her talent to the perfection for 9 years already and as any human has her difficult moments.
Erica Sullivan was brilliant in the final 400 meters. Passed three swimmers to take silver.
She sat out two years of college for this chance. And she delivered.
Her dad would be so proud.
The Sandpipers of Nevada have delivered one silver medal. Erica Sullivan’s performance should inspire Katie Grimes in the women’s 800 meter freestyle. You gotta believe!
Sullivan outpaced Ledecky after 1100m mark with the exception of last 100m. There Ledecky was significantly faster anybody else in final. Good sign for Katie.
Everybody but Sullivan were noticeably slower in this final race than they were in preliminary race. Isn’t it strange?
Sullivan is used to racing the 10K on day 1 and the 5K on day 2. The 1500 double was a breeze for her!
You misunderstood me. I’m not questioning Sullivan’s rapid and impressive improvement during last several months. I am wondering why every finalist was much slower their times shown in preliminary race or even than in-season times.
Erica Sullivan (Sandpipers of Nevada) should be an inspiration to Katie Grimes (Sandpipers of Nevada) in the women’s 800 meter freestyle.
It ain’t like the good old days when the top swimmers could hold back a bit in the 1500 prelims.
Kohler improved by nearly 10 seconds
Better German than Russian, I say.
You are right. I missed it.
Your world has crashed and burned!
Women’s 1500 meter freestyle
Gold – Ledecky (USA)
Silver – Sullivan (USA)
Meanwhile, Russia has yet to medal in a women’s swimming event.
P.S. Yefimova is done, finished, kaput.
Ledecky will lose the 800 to titmus
Ledecky was not at her best at trials and still went about a second faster than Titmas did at her trials and It was Titmas best time I believe 800 is def a different race than the 400.
Katie Ledecky won’t be swimming doubles (women’s 200 meter/1500 meter freestyle double/double) for the rest of the competition. Ariarne Titmus best time is 8:15.57 in the women’s 800 meter freestyle.
Is there any reasoning behind your statement? Or it was just a simple attempt to remind people about your existence?
What do you think Titmus’ time will be in 800 race?
The most recent information about Ledecky is the following:
400 – 3:57.36
800 (in 1500) – 8:16.39