400 metres Freestyle, Women

Let’s see. Katie Ledecky was entered, therefore Katie Ledecky won the gold medal. American Ledecky was the world’s nonpareil women’s distance swimmer, having won the 400, 800, and 1,500 freestyles at the 2013 World Championships; the 200, 400, 800, and 1,500 at the 2014 Pan-Pacifics; and repeated that distance four-peat at the 2015 World Championships. She had won the 800 freestyle at the London Olympics and there was no heavier favorite in Rio swimming than Ledecky in the women’s 400 and 800 freestyle.

In the heats, Ledecky swam 3:58.71, the fastest qualifying time by almost five seconds. She bettered that in the final by breaking her own world record with a time of 3:56.46, to win the first of her expected three individual gold medals. It was her third world record in the event.

Behind Ledecky, her teammate Leah Smith was expected to medal and she came through for the bronze. Smith also trailed surprising British swimmer Jazz Carlin, who was not on anybody’s favorite list for the event, although she had won gold in this event at the 2014 European Championships.

Before the end of the Rio Olympics, Ledecky won all the distance freestyle events (200-400-800), adding a gold medal in the 4x200 relay and a silver medal in the 4x100 free relay. Carlin would add another silver, also finishing second in the 800 freestyle.