Katie Ledecky set to swim 3 freestyle events in Rio
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Katie Ledecky's schedule in Rio is all set. The teenager will go for gold in three individual events after closing her U.S. swimming trials with another dominating performance.
The only blemish on her week came in the 100-meter freestyle, where she finished seventh.
She'll swim the 200, 400 and 800 freestyles in Rio, taking aim at becoming the first woman since American Debbie Meyers at the 1968 Mexico City Games to sweep those events.
Also in Ledecky's sights is Australian Shane Gould, who won three events all in world-record time at the 1972 Munich Games, including the 200 and 400 free.
''I'm just focused on my own goals,'' Ledecky said Saturday night. ''Anybody else's expectations don't mean that much to me.''
Ledecky won the 800 free in 8 minutes, 10.32 seconds, well off her own world record of 8:06.68 set in January at a meet in Austin, Texas. Still, the 19-year-old from Bethesda, Maryland, won the final by nearly 10 seconds.
''I was 8:19 here at trials in 2012, so definitely have improved a lot since then,'' she said.
Four years ago, Ledecky was the surprise winner of the 800 free in London, where she was the youngest member of the U.S. swimming team. Now, she'll be the heavy favorite to defend her title and add two more, plus she'll be on at least one relay.
Away from the pool, Ledecky wants to participate in the Olympic tradition of pin trading.
''I did one or two last time, but it would be cool to rack up a little collection,'' she said.
Ledecky is already looking ahead to the 100 free in 2020, which should scare the competition.
''Getting seventh here will be motivation for four years when the 100 will more likely be a target and something I might consider focusing a little more on in the future,'' she said.