Today, in the earlier hours, the Heat events had given a view of what was waiting in the final. Eventually, the leaderboard showing the forecast of the storm in the 400m free event final in the women’s category at Paris LA Defense Arena wasn’t an exaggeration. The swimming trio of Katie Ledecky, Ariarne Titmus, and Summer McIntosh stopped at nothing while deciding who had the better say among them in arguably the most competitive event in the swimming world. Ultimately, in this final battle tonight, Ariarne Titmus had the last laugh with her second Olympic gold medal in the event. But bronze medalist Katie Ledecky has nothing to lose, as Michael Phelps has argued. 

In his recent conversation with Mike Tirico of NBC, the swimming legend said that Katie Ledecky would not leave the ground despite the result of her rivalry with Ariarne Titmus in the pool. Rather, he claimed, “She’s the most decorated female Olympian right? So, you know, she’s setting records every single day. And you know, she’s coming into her bread and butter events right?” In those words, Michael Phelps tried to signify Katie’s upcoming individual events of 800m free and 1500m free. Both long course events have established the 27-year-old at a distinct height. 

Before February 8 of this year, Katie Ledecky had not lost a single 800m free event in the last 13 years. Her dominance in the pool has given her three Olympic gold medals in the trot, while in Paris, she is looking for the fourth one. The feat will make Katie the first female swimmer to win four Olympic gold medals in a single event. That will add to her legacy, which already has a different position with 21 world titles. Things will remain incomplete if her 1500m free mastery does not enter the discussion. 

After bagging the 1500m free title three years ago in Tokyo, Katie Ledecky will take Paris LA Defense Arena to defend her title. Apart from holding the world record in the event, Katie has yet to taste a defeat in the event. Additionally, she has recorded the top 19 timings. These mountainous accomplishments have made Katie Ledecky’s image what the Baltimore Bullet tried to mean. He furthered his view by commenting, “You know this race, I think, will be something that she’ll put behind her and really start to generate that focus towards the upcoming races.” Those words almost echoed the same statement that her present coach had mentioned a few weeks ago. 

Katie Ledecky does not mind her on-court rivalries 

Unlike most athletes, Katie Ledecky has never found her sport taking a toll on her. A sport like swimming could be as boring from time to time as it does not come with lots of friends in the pool. However, the ten-time Olympic medalist has found swimming to be her best buddy since she started to make splashes. So, a rivalry could be the last thing to unsettle her from the pool that often comes as solace for her. A similar thought has been nurtured by her present coach Anthony Nesty. 

Being an Olympic champion swimmer, Nesty knows the price of the sport that it usually demands from the swimmer’s body and mind after the long continuation. But Katie Ledecky is the exception. “I can tell you, she wants to swim forever. Because she enjoys it so much,” added the coach. To make herself revolve around the sport, she has changed her lifestyle and daily routines. So, facing the complications would not deter her. Rather, she will find her way to make a comeback.