A Week of Katie Ledecky Stats (Day Six): No Peer in the 800/1500 Freestyles; Not Even Close
In recognition of Katie Ledecky lowering her world record in the 800-meter freestyle to 8:04.12, Swimming World continues its Week of Katie Ledecky Statistics. Each day for a week, we are running a short piece that highlights Ledecky-related stats, numbers that place additional context on her legendary career.
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
There are multiple ways to appreciate the dominance of Katie Ledecky. One can look at the five-second margin between her world record and the No. 2 performer in history in the 800-meter freestyle. In that event, Ledecky’s global standard of 8:04.12 is followed by Summer McIntosh’s 8:09.86. Move up to the 1500 freestyle and Ledecky boasts an edge of 18 seconds, the span between her global mark of 15:20.48 and Lotte Friis’ 15:38.88.
A fuller glimpse of Ledecky’s greatness, however, can be appreciated by looking at the all-time lists in her premier events. In the 800 freestyle, Ledecky owns 28 of the fastest 31 times. Over 30 laps, Ledecky possesses 25 of the quickest 26 times. Combine the events and the American legend holds 53 of the fastest 57 times. Those numbers equate to 92.9%, which is simply astounding.
Since 2012, when she emerged on the international scene with an Olympic title, Ledecky has won every 800 freestyle she has entered in global competition (Olympics/World Championships/Pan Pacific Championships). Meanwhile, since 2013, she has prevailed in every 1500 freestyle she has raced.
I could not have matched her longevity with my 30 months of marathoning. Impressed.