Poll: Who Will Win the 800 Freestyle Showdown at Worlds Between Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh
As the Trials season around the world wraps up, next month’s World Championships in Singapore will become the No. 1 topic in the sport. What world records might be broken? What events will provide can’t-miss showdowns? Who will emerge as a breakthrough star? These are just a few questions that will be asked, and eventually answered, during the first World Champs on the path to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
This year has already produced spectacular performances in the women’s 800-meter freestyle. Of course, Katie Ledecky broke her own world record in the event, going 8:04.12 at the Fort Lauderdale stop of the TYR Pro Series. She followed that effort with a mark of 8:05.76 at the United States National Championships, a swim that ranks fourth on the all-time list. Clearly, Ledecky is carrying momentum en route to Singapore.
Meanwhile, Canadian star Summer McIntosh delivered several jaw-dropping performances at her Trials, with world records established in the 400 freestyle, 200 individual medley and 400 IM. She also threatened the world record in the 200 butterfly and recorded the No. 3 time in history in the 800 freestyle, behind a swim of 8:05.07.
While it was initiallly unclear if McIntosh would contest the 800 freestyle at the World Championships, the event is almost sure to be part of her program, which means a duel with Ledecky is on the horizon. The matchup will undoubtedly be a highlight of Worlds, one of those can’t-miss moments previous referenced.
So, as we moved toward the World Champs, we ask. Who will capture gold in the 800 freestyle in Singapore?
I can’t wait for this race. I’m really split but I think Summer will win because she is improving so fast. I really want Ledecky to win though, it would be insane!
i agree, but the thing is Ledecky has been doing this for longer, so she would have a better stratigy for this race becuase this is one of her main swims….. Therefore, Summer has been getting really fast, but i dont think that she is as fast as Ledecky in this race…. I hope Ledecky wins and i think she will.
Summer McIntosh has beaten Katie in this race though before.