Women's 800m Free The Race To Watch

Canadian teen McIntosh aims to end US legend Ledecky's dominance in 16-lap event

- David Lee

Sprint events like the 50m freestyle and butterfly are usually the hottest events to watch at the World Aquatics Championships (WCH), but the spotlight in Singapore will also be focused on the distance races this time.

The women's 800m freestyle is set to be the most highly anticipated showdown in the WCH Arena, with American legend Katie Ledecky to face Canadian sensation Summer McIntosh in the race for supremacy.

Before 2024, Ledecky owned all the 20 fastest times in the event, including the world-leading 8min 4.12sec set in April. The 28-year-old is also the most decorated female swimmer in history with 14 Olympic medals—nine of them gold—and 21 world championship titles.

But the rise of McIntosh has changed all that.

The 18-year-old has decided to take Ledecky head-on in the latter's pet event at the championships, and with her coach Fred Vergnoux proclaiming she can "go under eight minutes, no question," the stage is set for a fierce battle in the pool.

In a Zoom interview with global media on July 9, McIntosh said: "Any time I get a race with Katie, it's lots of fun. I learnt so much about myself, and I think we bring the best out of each other, for sure."