Katie Ledecky: “I felt like I could be 1:55 tonight”

TYR PRO SWIM SERIES – KNOXVILLE

Katie Ledecky pulled a dirty double tonight, putting up impressive performances in both the 200 free and 400 IM. In the 200 free, she spoiled viewers (as she typically does) by throwing down a monster 1:55.47 in the 200 free, besting the field by over 2 seconds. She was back at the end of the session in the 400 IM, giving chase to Katie Grimes who had a sizeable lead at the halfway mark and nearly running the teenager down, touching at 4:36.09 to Grimes’ winning time of 4:35.92.

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VA Steve
1 year ago

Ledecky is the epitome of an athlete who loves her sport and obtains satisfaction and feedback from her own expectations and performance. It would be funny to go back on SS and see the comments over the last five years with all of the doubters and her competition with the flavor of the day. She is evolving as a swimmer (e.g., the BR leg that has been referenced) and will choose a lineup that befits her changing mix of abilities. Why not just enjoy this phenomenal talent and classy woman and the races where we she brings out the best in everyone?

Viking Steve
1 year ago

The longevity and consistent excellence in a sport know for burnout and overuse injuries is simply phenomenal.

She may not JUST be swimming at the LA Olympics, but also lighting the cauldron as well (has my vote already)

Last edited 1 year ago by Viking Steve
Awsi Dooger
Reply to  Viking Steve
1 year ago

It has to be Phelps or Jordan, or both together. Jordan is a natural pick because Los Angeles 1984 was his breakout as a mega superstar.

Steve Nolan
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
1 year ago

lol this comment got lit up, even tho it’s probably right.

I like the Jordan pick, it’s not as good as Muhammad Ali in ’96 but I don’t think anyone else ever could be.

Whirled Aquatics
Reply to  Steve Nolan
1 year ago

Janet Evans came close to achieving this remarkable combo at the ‘96 Atlanta Oly games. She made the team in both the 400 and 800 freestyles. It appeared as though she’d also be the torch-lighter as well — running the flame up the stairs — and at the last minute handing it off to Ali. It was, as Bud Greenspan put it, a “great Olympic moment.”

coachymccoachface
Reply to  Steve Nolan
1 year ago

Basketball, while continue to grow, is still a pretty American sport.

VikingSteve
Reply to  Steve Nolan
1 year ago

I certainly would not argue against Phelps or Jordan, BUT….

…. by 2028, Ledecky would have 16 (!!!!) years of sustained excellence to dominance while being nothing but a class individual. She would also be competing at that Olympics which would be special.

Jordan and Phelps and some pretty big bumps in the road and their peak will probably not have lasted as long as Ledecky come 2028.

Lastly, as an added benefit, what a great moment it would be for Women Sports! (and I bet you that Phelps and Jordan would have no problems at all with her selection 🙂

Peter
Reply to  VikingSteve
1 year ago

You might want to consider Mikaela Shiffrin and or Emilie Wegner Reymond. Both at the top of their games in much more physically demanding and difficult sports. Taking NOTHING from Katie and her dominance.

mcmflyguy
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
1 year ago

Personally, I get Jordan as a pick… best of the best for basketball. BUT my only negative about is, NBA is a world wide organization that attracts the best of the best world wide. It’s the epitome of basketball. Olympics (along with worlds) is the top of the swimming world. Give it to phelps. Celebrate the olympic sport that gets the biggest boost from the olympics coverage.

Andrew
1 year ago

Rowdy just ruined another pair of underwear from excessively creaming to Ledecky’s fast swimming

Katie
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

It’s gross and entirely unnecessary to write a sexualized comment about an old man ejaculating because of a female athlete.

Seth
1 year ago

Ledecky can do anything!

Georgia Rambler
Reply to  Seth
1 year ago

Including, now, breaststroke…that was an amazing leg.

Mark
Reply to  Seth
1 year ago

…….except beat Titmus in the 200 or 400 free.

Yozhik
Reply to  Mark
1 year ago

You never know how the progress curve of Titmus in 400FR will look like. The difference in personal bests is minimum: just 0.04 sec. A finger nail. So in their face to face races from now on the decisive factor will be who decline faster. And there is no way you can foresee it. Ledecky is just two years senior.

Joel
Reply to  Yozhik
1 year ago

She is three and half years older than Titmus. Nice try Yozhik.

JimSwim22
Reply to  Mark
1 year ago

What’s their career matchup record?

Mark
Reply to  JimSwim22
1 year ago

At 200/400 FREE – it’s 3-3. KL finished ahead at 2017 WC at both 200 & 400 and at 2018 PP in the 400. AT won the 2019 WC 400 and the 200/400 double at the Olympics.

Awsi Dooger
Reply to  Mark
1 year ago

Ledecky still has a good chance to beat Titmus in Paris, since the 400 is the first race of the meet and Ledecky is the natural frontrunner. Closers are at disadvantage, no matter what happened last time. Titmus will have to continue to push the style that placed her well ahead of the world record line last year and well ahead of McIntosh at the Commonwealth Games. If Titmus settles back into a comfort zone of closer, she’s not going to be able to run down both Ledecky and McIntosh

Lisa
Reply to  Mark
1 year ago

And nobody can beat her in the longer distance and I know what you’re trying to say.

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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