Katie Ledecky relegated to third in 400 at world championships

Field Level Media|published: Sun 27th July, 19:38 2025

Jul 27, 2024; Nanterre, France; Katie Ledecky (USA) in the women’s 400-meter freestyle final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Paris La Défense Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images

Legendary swimmer Katie Ledecky didn't have a strong finishing kick on Sunday and finished third in the women's 400-meter freestyle on the opening day of the swimming world championships in Singapore.

Canadian star Summer McIntosh won the race in 3:56.26 with China's Li Bingjie (3:58.21) passing Ledecky (3:58.49) in the final 10 meters.

McIntosh also finished ahead of Ledecky in the event at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, taking silver while Ledecky settled for bronze. Australia's Ariarne Titmus won gold.

Ledecky holds the Olympic record for most medals (14) and gold medals (nine) won by a women's swimmer.

Earlier this year, the 18-year-old McIntosh set the world record of 3:54.18 in the event.

"I think I'm at my best," McIntosh said after the victory Sunday. "I'm in the best shape of my life. So now I just have to act on that and put it into all my races."

Ledecky, 28, also had to hold off Lani Pallister as the Australian placed fourth at 3:58.87.

"I would've loved to have been better," Ledecky said in an interview with NBC Sports. "I was a little too focused on the race on one side.

"I missed Li on the other side of me, but kudos to her for getting in there. She's been a great competitor all these years. Katie Ledecky relegated to third in 400 at world championships to get the medal. Really fast field. I think the fastest field first through fourth we've ever had."

--Field Level Media

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