Can Swimming Get a Katie Ledecky vs. Summer McIntosh Showdown in 800 Freestyle at World Champs?
Without scheduling constraints, Summer McIntosh could have taken on additional events at last summer’s Olympic Games in Paris. While she exited the French capital with titles in the 200 individual medley, 400 medley and 200 butterfly, along with silver in the 400 freestyle, McIntosh could have vied for the podium in the 200 freestyle and 800 freestyle.
Of course, part of the Olympic equation – at least for multi-event stars and their coaches – is understanding what the body can handle. Consequently, McIntosh opted for a four-event individual slate that offered her the opportunity to successfully negotiate the biggest week of her fledgling career.
Now, the journey to another Olympiad is underway and this first year of the new Quad features a World Championships. If there is a time to “play” with the schedule and chase different opportunities, this season offers the proper fit, since there is plenty of time afterward to lock in for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
So, can this be a campaign in which McIntosh tackles the 800 freestyle at the World Champs in Singapore and, consequently, duels with Katie Ledecky? That clash would make for a can’t-miss showdown, as it would bring together the four-time Olympic champion in Ledecky and, in McIntosh, the only individual who has defeated the American in the event since 2010.
It’s been a little more than a week since McIntosh clocked 8:09.86 in the 800 free at the Southern Zone Sectionals. The effort was good for the 10th-fastest time in history, behind only nine performances registered by Ledecky, and made McIntosh just the second woman to go sub-8:10 over 16 laps. At the same meet, Ledecky covered the 1500 freestyle in 15:36.87, the 16th-fastest mark of all-time, and an effort only she has bettered.
With the season just two months old, there has been plenty of speed from the collegiate ranks, highlighted by several eye-popping relay performances. Through their outings at Sectionals, McIntosh and Ledecky provided early-season excitement from the professional realm, and stoked the fire for what could be an epic showdown at the World Champs.
At last summer’s Olympic Games, McIntosh and Ledecky enhanced their legacies inside La Defense Arena. While McIntosh won three titles, Ledecky claimed her fourth straight gold medal in the 800 freestyle and repeated in the 1500 free. The only event where McIntosh and Ledecky met was the 400 freestyle, won by Australian Ariarne Titmus, with McIntosh and Ledecky in the silver- and bronze-medal positions.
McIntosh’s victory in the 800 freestyle at the Southern Zone Sectionals was her second straight. A year ago, she went 8:11.39 while defeating Ledecky. Now, the Canadian is more than a second quicker and the allure of a clash between the superstars would make the 800 freestyle one of the biggest draws of action in Singapore.
The world-record holder at 8:04.79, Ledecky will have the chance to win her seventh world crown in the 800 freestyle in Singapore. Always eager for a challenge, Ledecky would have the chance to defend her most hallowed turf against a prominent force, as she has been able to do in the 800 free against Titmus.
For McIntosh, embracing the 800 freestyle would provide the chance for the versatile standout to see just how fast she can be in the distance event when in peak form. Of course, the opportunity to beat Ledecky on the global stage is also enticing.
Over the next few years, the picture for the Los Angeles Olympics will gain clarity. The next phase of upstarts will emerge and we’ll get an idea of what events will be prioritized for established stars. In the meantime, maybe we’ll get a treat.
Singapore.
World Championships.
800 Freestyle
Katie Ledecky vs. Summer McIntosh.
Yes, please.
