It's bronze but chance to see Ledecky is thrill of first night

On a dramatic opening night at the World Aquatics Championships (WCH) swimming competition, a packed crowd hollered, music blared but talent spoke loudest.

- Rohit Brijnath

The greatest female swimmer of all time lost to the finest female swimmer of this time. Katie Ledecky used to be a poster on Summer McIntosh's wall. Now the Canadian, two lanes away in the women's 400m freestyle final, was offering the American proof of how powerfully that inspiration had worked.

In a race about seconds, it was the years which showed. McIntosh, who won, is 18; Ledecky, who was third, is 28. Time in every way is on the former's side. When the American won her first 400m Olympic gold in 2016, the Canadian was nine. The wonder of sport is that sometimes a fan can turn into a rival. It is a testimony to McIntosh's drive and Ledecky's longevity.

Both women arrived at the blocks with a poker player's expression. The competition face is a beautiful thing. Ledecky last broke the 400m world record in 2016; McIntosh did it this June. At this distance this wasn't a fully fair fight but still Ledecky comes. As long as they can draw a competitive breath, champions want to measure themselves.

I'm here at the WCH Arena for the race, but really I'm here to watch Ledecky. The exceptional, in any field, exert a unique pull. The poet, the sculptor, the dancer, the swimmer, any time you get to see The Greatest, you go. Especially because swimming offers too few chances.