Ledecky Earns Bronze in 400-Meter Freestyle, Sets Sight on Gold in 800-Meter

Despite falling short of gold in her first Olympic final, Katie Ledecky claimed bronze in the 400-meter freestyle, securing her 11th Olympic medal overall.

United States swimming sensation Katie Ledecky stepped onto the Olympic podium for the first time in Paris after securing a bronze medal in the 400-meter freestyle. The 27-year-old finished the race in third place with a time of 4:00.86, over four seconds behind her Olympic record of 3:56.46 set in Rio in 2016.

Despite the elusive gold, Ledecky's bronze medal marks her 11th overall Olympic medal, cementing her status as one of the most decorated swimmers of all time. The victory also marks her first medal in Paris, with three more events still to come.

Ledecky Earns Bronze in 400-Meter Freestyle, Sets Sight on Gold in 800-Meter

In the 400-meter freestyle final, Ledecky found herself chasing Australia's Ariarne Titmus, the world record holder in the event, throughout the race. Titmus defended her Olympic gold medal from Tokyo with a time of 3:57.49, over two seconds slower than her world record pace.

Canada's Summer McIntosh emerged as a surprise contender, kicking into an extra gear in the final 50 meters to claim silver with a time of 3:58.37, earning Canada its first medal of the Paris Games.

Ledecky Earns Bronze in 400-Meter Freestyle, Sets Sight on Gold in 800-Meter

Ledecky will now shift her focus to her remaining events, including the 800-meter freestyle, where she will aim for gold. The 800-meter event is next on her schedule, followed by the 1500-meter freestyle and the 4x200-meter free relay with her fellow United States teammates.

Ledecky's Olympic journey in Paris is just beginning, and the decorated swimmer is determined to bolster her already impressive resume. With three more events to compete in, Ledecky has the potential to further solidify her legacy as one of the greatest in the sport.

Ledecky Earns Bronze in 400-Meter Freestyle, Sets Sight on Gold in 800-Meter

In the men's 400-meter freestyle, Germany's Lukas Maertens clinched the gold medal, while Elijah Winnington of Australia collected silver and Kieran Smith of the United States took home the bronze.