Women go head-to-head in 400-meter freestyle relay

Katie Ledecky will be anchoring the United States in the women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay.

Phelps, meanwhile, swam the second leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay that the United States won in what was considered an upset. The top eight teams will advance to the finals, and the U.S. Olympic women are the favorites to take team gold medal.

She clearly knew what she was doing while coming through with one of the more dominant effort so far in Rio.

The nerves were there.

On Sunday night, the result could be different.

Phelps is expected to be part of the USA men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team that will contend for a gold medal.

UGA saw four of its swimmers awarded with medals Friday, the first day of competition.

So, to put it simply: Rio will still be the Katie Ledecky Olympics.

Ledecky posted a time of 3 minutes, 58.71 seconds, actually backing off a bit on the closing lap to conserve energy for the Sunday night final.

The American’s time was only 0.34 slower than the world record of 3:58.37 she set in August 2014, and it came after a late night helping the women’s team to 4×100 silver. Britain’s Adam Peaty set his second mark in as many nights in the 100 breaststroke, while Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden eclipsed her own mark in the 100 butterfly.

“I would say I was very pleased, not surprised”, said Marsh. “So that bodes well for tonight”. Then, at 15, Ledecky claimed a surprise Olympic gold in the longer race.

After appealing their penalties, Efimova and up to six other Russian swimmers were quietly approved to compete in Rio. American Leah Smith, a senior-to-be at Virginia, took the bronze (4:01:92). It was the 800, where Ledecky, then 15, was the upset victor in US record time, and Adlington took bronze.

Tanja Kylliainen, who was born just down the I-95 in Baltimore, said it was incredible to watch Ledecky’s rise.

“I wasn’t nervous in the ready room (where swimmers wait before their race is called)”, Ledecky said. “The Australians made a significant charge over the past couple of years with their men’s and women’s teams combined”. Leonsis originally partnered with Jon Ledecky to buy the National Hockey League team back in 1998. He will be looking to add to his haul of 22 medals, 18 of them gold, in this his fifth Olympic Games.

Now, the real fun begins as the countries break out their big guns for the evening final.

Ryan Held protected the lead before giving way for Nathan Adrian, America’s best sprinter.