2025 World Championships
- July 27 – August 3, 2025 (pool swimming)
- Singapore, Singapore
- World Aquatics Championships Arena
- LCM (50m)
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Coming into the 2025 World Championships, the Women’s 800 Free was billed as the Must-See event of the meet, pitting Katie Ledecky head-to-head against Summer McIntosh. Not only did it live up to those expectations… it exceeded them.
Watch as SwimSwam’s Coleman Hodges and Mel Stewart sit with Ledecky’s teammate, Izzy Ivey, and the three of them react in real-time to this epic dual of distance titans.

why is summer seen sulking! She seemed like a diva, meanwhile Ledecky is so smiley regardless win or lose over the years! She is really seen as best representative of women swimming
Summer is young. But she better be careful not to get labeled as “Surly Summer”. Sportsmanship matters. She’s setting an example for young swimmers everywhere.
Here are the brands that Summer has: Red Bull, Lululemon, Tag Heuer, Cassels, Nine Pound. Maybe let them know she’s not the best rep? We are taking note for sure in this house!
Summer said in an interview that that result makes her want to swim it even more. But who knows, obviously she was disappointed and feeling a lot of things when she said that.
This race just really solidifies that Katie is the absolute GOAT. For years people have been dismissing her bc she had no rivals. But now she has two REALLY competitive rivals in her pet events and she’s going near-best times to beat them and overcome a very new kind of pressure at age 28. After Paris I thought she could still win the 1500 and possibly the 800 in LA but Lani very much throws that into question. I wonder if Katie will drop the 400… Read more »
I can’t get the full swimswam podcast to work from day 7. Any ideas?
It was beautiful!!! Katie is pushed from the get go and gets it done!! Lani was incredible.
“ If you ever take the Aussies for granted, you are a fool!” Well said Mel!
I love Ivey’s reactions
Same, she seemed delightful the entire time.