Olympics Fans in Awe of Katie Ledecky's Massive Lead in 1500m Swimming Race

Ledecky finished nearly 18 seconds ahead of the nearest competitor in the 1500m freestyle heat.

Team USA's Katie Ledecky swims in the 1500m freestyle heats in Paris La Defense Arena at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday, July 30. / Screengrab Twitter @@NBCSports

For the first time since winning a bronze medal in the 400m freestyle, Katie Ledecky on Tuesday returned to the pool to swim in the women's 1500m freestyle heats.

It wasn't too surprising to see that Ledecky, the 2023 world champion and defending gold medalist from Tokyo in the 1500m, won her heat and advanced to the final in the race.

What was surprising to some was just how big of a lead Ledecky had in the race. The USA swimming star had set such a blistering pace that she, at one point, was alone on the television screen, looking as if she was swimming by herself.

Olympics fans were in awe.

Katie Ledecky is seen swimming in her personal Olympic-size pool. pic.twitter.com/BLVO5Q38XW

— Tanya (@ScriptedTanya) July 30, 2024

it’s just Katie Ledecky 🥱#Swimming #Paris2024   #OlympicGames   #Olympics pic.twitter.com/3QAH1iBTXJ

— Hanyu 選手 𓆩⛸️𓆪 ⸆⸉ (@mushroomzuru) July 30, 2024

KATIE LEDECKY IS A BOSS

She has a 25 metre lead on the rest of the field in the 1500m. Look at this. Half a pool lead.

It’s her race. It’s her world. She is the greatest ever. What a pleasure to watch another world class performance. pic.twitter.com/6r4KS7yG7y

— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 30, 2024

katie ledecky’s lead between other swimmers barely fitting on the screen. we’re so back pic.twitter.com/cK9HaN1HSY

— rea ⁴ | olympics era (@fourfolklore) July 30, 2024

NBC Sports managed to get multiple photos showcasing Ledecky's dominance in the race.

When Katie Ledecky's in the pool for the 1500m free, it's a race for second place. 🤷‍♀️🇺🇸 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/PLvJD9MRz7

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) July 30, 2024

Ledecky finished with a time of 15:47:43, nearly 20 seconds ahead of China's Li Bingjie, who finished at 16:05:26. Wednesday's 1500m freestyle final figures to be a much closer race, given that three other swimmers clocked in under 16 minutes in their respective heats.

However, Ledecky, who hasn't lost a race in the 1500m in 14 years, will be the heavy favorite to take home gold in the final on Wednesday at 3:13 p.m. ET.