Ledecky Queen Of Cool, Calm & Collected At Nervy U.S. Trials, Dressel & Manuel On 100 Relay Shift In Paris, Fallon The Pioneer Of The Day
There’s nothing like the ultimate and merciless test of U.S. Trials to show how extraordinary Katie Ledecky is, back for more as a golden favourite at her fourth Olympics a league ahead in the 1500m in a day 5 finals session sandwiched by news that Caeleb Dressel will not defend the 100m free nor will Simone Manuel race the solo 100m free at Paris 2024.
This evening in Indianapolis, the inaugural Olympic champion over 1500m in Tokyo ticked the defence box in 15:37.35, Ledecky now the owner of the fastest 20 times ever over 30 long-course lengths. Dominant doesn’t do it.
Ledecky lapped it up, describing the trials experience as “awesome”. She added:
“It’s just really neat to walk out of that tunnel every night for finals, or even for prelims races, and hear the excitement that everyone has. To see little kids in the stands with posters and big smiles and cheering really loud, I mean, that’s what it’s all about. It’s really neat that we’re chasing our dreams and pursuing these big goals, and just as a by-product of that, we’re inspiring some of these little kids. I’m sure many of them will be at future Olympic Trials, and that’s really exciting.”
Katie Ledecky – by Patrick B. Kraemer
As said, there’s nothing like Ledecky, on many levels, but there was one more moment of dominance on day 5: the pioneering American swim of the day was a 2:06.54 national record from Matt Fallon in the 200m breaststroke, Josh Matheny grabbing the second slot in 2:08.86, Ananias Pouch locked out in third on 2:09.05, Will Licon fourth in 2:09.38 with three other inside 2:10 in a blanket finish behind the trail-blazer.
Fallon’s was not a go-to-gold rush of a swim, rather he played close shadow (see splits in results display below) over the first half and then rippled away from the pack down the third length. He popped the second of his and the only two 32sec splits in the back half of battle for the one Paris tickets celebrated with the crowd at U.S. Trials, his American record the first sub 2:07 by an American, Josh Prenot‘s 2:07.17 from 2016 confined to history.
The rest of the action among sporting mortals at Trials leaned more towards the traditional canvas of test shaking hands with the passing of time each cycle with more gusto than any other swim nation can muster. The sprinters, known for required time out and comebacks that can lead to glory anew Anthony-Ervin style, struggle to do what Ledecky seems to ease her way through, though you can guarantee the seem is more real than the ease.
Both Dressel and Manuel will be there in Paris for 4x100m relays, the USA men favourites for the crown with six inside 48 topped by Chris Giuliano‘s 47.38 and Jack Alexy‘s 47.47 in a nervy final, Dressel on 47.53, Hunter Armstrong, 47.78, Ryan Held, 47.82, and Matt King, 47.94, next in line for relay consideration.
Dressel’s 0.15sec deficit to gold was all built down the opening length, Giuliano and Alexy a snap on 22.51, the man who entered the race as a defending Olympic champion fourth in 22.70, Held on 22.59. Tiny but significant margins washed them all to the wall.
Armstrong, 24.76 for fourth, Dressel 24.83 for third, Giuliano 24.87 for the winning punch, Alexy the last man inside 25 in the homecoming club, his 24.96 keeping the Tokyo sprint king at bay.
On the women’s side, there’s a lot of work to do and hope to harness if they’re to get close to, let alone topple, the dominant Australians if all starts are clean and the form holds.
The American final had just two inside 53 and then only just, Kate Douglass a class apart on 52.56 on a day of one of the most unusual doubles in the pool (2:21 to lead the way to the 200m breaststroke final after 2:19 in heats), Torri Huske on 52.93.
Next through was Gretchen Walsh, 53.13 a couple of days beyond a 55.18 World record and 55.31 victory in the 100 ‘fly, and then Manuel, on 53.25. There’s room for gains of course, but the reserve power comes in at 53.70, Abbey Weitzeil, with sixth place a snap on 53.86, Catie Deloof and Erika Connolly facing a nervous wait as selectors decide whether they should be or even can be on the team under the more restrictive relay rules on relay-only swimmers a the Games.
Douglass went off to get set for the 200 breaststroke semi, while Huske said : “I didn’t realize how hard it is to truly make Team USA until you’re competing for that spot, and to make it three times is just an insane accomplishment.”
Manuel knows it, too: “People say they all fade, but the memories are things that will last forever. I’m just so proud of myself, my character, what I’ve learned through this process. And more than anything, having fun in this sport again.”
The other final on day 5 was the men’s 200 ‘fly. In times slower than unrested Léon Marchand at Chartres nationals in France, Thomas Heilman, 1:54.50, and Luca Urlando, 1:55.08 grabbed the Paris tickets, with Mason Laur third in 1:55.37 and Dare Rose on 1:55.70.
Heilman will make his Olympic debut in Paris. He said: “Looking up at the board and seeing my name at the top was – it was really special. It’s a goal I’ve had for years now, and to see it up there, it was a little bit of disbelief.”
Ledecky 20-20 Vision Heading Into Fourth Olympics
And so, back to Ledecky, who clocked 15:39.73 in heat 5 of 5 of the 1500m yesterday, the time one that only she and Lotte Friis, of Denmark, back in 2013 have ever swum inside before.
Her 15:37.35 gave her ownership of the fastest 20 times ever over 1500m and was 20 seconds ahead of the other Katie heading to Paris, Katie Grimes on 15:57.77 to add the pool event to the marathon she’s scheduled to race in the River Seine, weather and pollution permitting, in the second week at the Games in August. In third place, Ashley Twichell, 35 this year an d proving that longevity is not owned by sprinters, was third home in 16:08.07.
Perhaps we will see Ledecky, who boasts 38 of the swiftest 100 30-length swims ever, at Brisbane 2032 yet. Perhaps not. But on the roller-coaster of perseverance and longevity at the summit of sport, Ledecky is a legend – and one still writing new lines with each passing season. We will see her in Paris, a golden contender once more, the fastest and fittest ever in the 800 and 1500m yet, 12 years after a debut Games and gold in the 800m at the age of 15.
She split 4:05.56 at 400, 8:17.13 at 800 in the 1500m today, times that would have won those distances at national championships in almost ever nation in the world, Australia the exception when it comes to both events, Canada, New Zealand among a few others with solid chances in the 400-1500 battles ahead in the French capital.
A nice touch to have Ledecky presented with her medal by Wendy Boglioli, one of the U.S. quartet that managed to grab “The Last Gold” from the GDR and its systematic doping program in the 4x100m free relay at the 1976 Olympic Games.
NB to Olympic sports governors and those at IFs in power for decades: you’ve still done nothing about it. Shame On Each And Every One Of You.
All The Finals:
Women’s 1500m freestyle:
Men’s 200m breaststroke
Women’s 100m freestyle
Men’s 100m freestyle
Men’s 200m butterfly
