Katie Ledecky dominates 1500m freestyle final, Isabel Gose takes bronze
There was never any doubt about that, was there? Katie Ledecky absolutely dominated the women’s 1500m freestyle final.
400 meters from the finish, Ledecky is more than half a length ahead of the second and third, the Frenchwoman Anastasia Kirpichnikova and the Italian Simona Quadarellaand also the German Isabel Gose is still under discussion.
The crowd cheers Kirpichnikova on at every turn, but the real race is taking place behind her. Who will take bronze?
The American is leading by seven seconds at 1200m and will be aiming for a time of 15:35.35, her current Olympic record.
Only 200 meters left. Kirpichnikova is one body length ahead of Quadarella and Gose.
Gose picks up the pace and passes Quadarella! Now she attacks Kirpichnikova!
Ledecky wins gold in 15:30.02, a new Olympic record. Kirpichnikova secures silver, 10.33 seconds behind.
Then Gose hits for bronze and a German record.
Ledecky now has the 20 fastest women’s 1500m freestyle times in history.
Leonie MaertensLukas’ younger sister, finishes eighth.
🥇 Katie Ledecky (USA) 15:30,02
🥈 Anastasia Kirpichnikova (FROM) 15:40.35
🥉 Isabel Gose (GER) 15:41,16
