Katie Ledecky is back on top in the women’s 400 freestyle. With Olympic gold medalist and new world-record holder Ariarne Titmus absent from the field, Ledecky took control over the race over the first 100 meters and never surrendered the advantage. She was challenged throughout by 15-year-old Canadian Summer McIntosh, and Ledecky’s lead was by less than a second through the first 300 meters, but she extended the advantage down the stretch on her way to gold.
The Week That Was #2: Americans Pull Away for Men’s 400 Free Relay Gold With Dressel, Held, Ress, Curry
The United States has not lost the men’s 400 freestyle relay at a major international competition since Caeleb Dressel first took the blocks as the leadoff swimmer in 2016, and that streak continued at the World Championships in Budapest. Dressel led off for the U.S. in 47.67, the fastest 100 freestyle mark in the world this year. He touched just ahead of Canada’s Josh Liendo (47.87), and Dressel’s American teammates did the job from there.
The Week That Was #3: Kaylee McKeown: Shock Backstroke Withdrawal An Investment For Paris Experience
Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown surprisingly withdrew before her 100m backstroke heats this week in Budapest, a decision that is all about an investment in her future 200m individual medley plans as she plots her Olympic pathway towards Paris 2024, according to Dolphins head coach Rohan Taylor.
The Week That Was #4: Michael Andrew Loses Individual Medal Shot After Poorly-Executed Double
At the 2019 World Championships, Michael Andrew raced in the finals of all four 50-meter stroke events, but he left with no medals to show for his efforts. He finished fourth in the 50 butterfly, a mere one hundredth away from the medals, and then he was seven hundredths away in his fifth-place finish in the 50 backstroke. Two years later, Andrew concluded the Tokyo Olympics by helping the U.S. men win gold in world-record time in the 400 medley relay, but individually, he was shut out again with two fourth-places finishes and one fifth. In the 50 freestyle final, Andrew ended up just three hundredths off the podium.
The Week That Was #5: Olympic Champions Kyle Chalmers and Mack Horton Lead New Look Dolphins For Budapest World Championship Assault
THE Australian men’s team have unleashed six new faces and 11 Tokyo Olympians on its FINA World Championship roster for Budapest, which started Saturday, with Paris 2024 firmly on the mind of Australian Head Coach Rohan Taylor.
The 18-strong group is led by Olympic champions Kyle Chalmers and Mack Horton with Chalmers swimming individual butterfly events and by-passing his individual freestyle but expect to see him bolster the Dolphins relays.