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How Fast Will Katie Ledecky Swim at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials?

Gold Medal Minute presented by SwimOutlet.com

Olympic and World Champion distance swimming icon Katie Ledecky swam well at the San Antonio Pro Swim, but she was her own biggest critic unpacking her swims in the post race interviews.  I thought Ledecky looked great considering she hasn’t really traveled and competed in a year.  Suiting up at home and running an elite meet schedule isn’t the same experience.  I think Ledecky knocked off some rust in San Antonio. What do you think?  If you missed the meet coverage, see her times:

Ledecky – 2021 San Antonio Pro Swim

  • 1500 free – 15:42.92
  • 800 free – 8:13.64
  • 400 free – 4:04.72
  • 200 free – 1:56.62

For reference, see Ledecky’s 2020 Des Moines Pro Swim Times:

  • 1500 – 15:29.51
  • 400 – 3:59.66
  • 200 – 1:54.59

U.S. Olympic Trials Predictions?

Ledecky will swim fast, but not as fast as she will at the 2021 Olympic Games.  At U.S. Olympic Trials I see a 1:54.5 200 free,  3:59.1 400 free,  8:09  800 free, and a 15:29 1500 free.  I might be playing it a little too safe, but I don’t see a reason for her to swim faster when making Team USA  is all that’s needed.  Still, those would be solid swims in June for Ledecky, but the big question is will she swim the 100 free? I don’t know. I haven’t asked her, but I don’t think so. It’s been a weird year battling the pandemic. I think Ledeckey stays focused on her core schedule at U.S. Olympic Trials.  But who cares what I think?  I want to know what you think? Give me your best expert swimming analysis.

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This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.

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Andy
3 years ago

need to update this after Viejo, where she swam 1.54.4

Gheko
3 years ago

She will just be doing enough to win!

Freddy
3 years ago

there will be no Olympics in 2021

Admin
Reply to  Freddy
3 years ago

You’re entitled to your opinion, but your opinion isn’t really that interesting to anybody else if you don’t support it.

Owlmundo
3 years ago

I think she stands a good chance in the hundred but might not swim it anyways and possibly get a spot on the relay anyway

Hank
3 years ago

Any chance she will go after Phelps 8 golds? If she swam the 200-400-800-1500 and both freestyle relays, she would still need 2 more events. However, she could add the 5k and 10k open water events and collect 8 golds conceivably.

Admin
Reply to  Hank
3 years ago

There is no 5k Olympic event, and she is too late to qualify for the 10k.

Troyy
3 years ago

I don’t much like Ledecky’s chances in the 4×100 with how much more depth there is in that event compared to Rio.

Comet
3 years ago

200 1.54 high
400 barely under 4
800 810 and change
1500 1532

AnEn
3 years ago

The 200 and 400 free predictions sound reasonable. Not sure about the 800 free prediction. Ledecky has “only” been sub 8:10 five times (according to FINA) and “only” 2 times since the last olympics (both in 2018). I don’t think she will reach the same shape in the 800 as in 2016 (when she swam 8:10 at trials), so my guess would be 8:12. The 1500 free is the most difficult to predict in my opinion. Obviously she swam 15:29 recently, so it isn’t “crazy” to predict her going 15:29 at trials, but maybe she will focus more on her speed (to make sure to qualify in the 200 free) and therefore her 1500 free will suffer a bit (since… Read more »

About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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