(Paris) American middle-distance legend Katie Ledecky qualified on Friday for the 800m freestyle final at the 2024 Olympics, where she will seek a ninth Olympic gold medal.
As expected, the triple Olympic champion in the specialty, holder of the 29 best times in history over the distance, dominated the series in 8 min 16 sec 62.
In the final, scheduled for Saturday at 9:28 p.m., the 27-year-old swimmer will attempt to win a ninth Olympic crown, which would make her the most decorated woman in the history of the Games along with Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina.
Her runner-up at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Ariarne Titmus, signed the 3e time in 8 min 19 sec 87. Crowned Saturday in the 400 m and Olympic vice-champion in the 200 m, the Australian stayed in contact with Ledecky until halfway through the race before being dropped.