Katie Ledecky, winner of five Olympic goals in lane four, the defending champion from the United States of America, alongside one of a new generation of talented Australian swimmers. Ledecky set a world record when she won this event in Rio. Titmuss in the yellow cap waited for her moment. Then she was ready to strike.
The Australian swam a brilliant race, timing her challenge to perfection. And once she was in front, there was only one winner. Hideki having to settle for second place.
Let's take two in lane five. Maddie Wilson is looking vulnerable. China coming forward.
This is a surprise. They're both locked in a battle for gold with one streamer to come. China in front of Australia with America and Canada in third and fourth. We're set for a grandstand finish. Safe changeovers, 0.19 for Australia.
Leah Neal in the water. Li for China, 0.28 on the changeover. And she is sprinting this first 50 metres.
Wow, they thought it was going to be almost 11. laid-down Mazaire when it comes to the 4x200 freestyle relay with Australia. On paper, it seemed that way. But paper, throw it out. Put it in the bin. This is Olympic racing.
Lee, the bronze in the individual 200 freestyle is now the favourite. China knocking on the door of the world record. And this is a surprise, perhaps not to the Australian swimmers and perhaps not to the Chinese, but it is to us.
The Americans now coming in in these closing stages. We're up for a terrific finish. While Ledecky is racing in the water for the USA. The USA could steal this whole thing with Ledecky now coming home. That would be the biggest shock of the game so far.
Katie Ledecky against China and Australia. It's Lee for China. China, Neil for Australia and Katie Ledecky on the charts for the Americans. Ledecky, she is absolutely powering here.
She can see as well exactly where Lee is. I think we may have a change of leader when it comes to the 50-minute mark. meters to go mark China just hanging on Ledecky what has she got left she loves to race for the Stars and Stripes look at that underwater this is a wild finish at the end of the women's 4x200 freestyle China have broken Australia but Katie Ledecky on the charge for America have Australia got something left it looks as though China still in front fast finishing Katie Ledecky is giving everything to this final With five meters to go, can China hang on?
China's strike gold, just in front of the United States. All eyes were on Katie Ledecky from the United States of America in the final of the women's 1500 meters freestyle. This event had been added to the Olympic program for the first time. Ledecky in lane four was a specialist over this course.
So dominant she held the fastest ten times in history over this distance. It was no surprise then when Ledecky went out in front. Punishing race, the longest in the pool.
Erica Sullivan, also from the United States, in lane three, has a Japanese mother, making these games extra special for her. Sullivan was never far from medal contention, and those hopes were boosted when she moved into second place, approaching the finish. overtaking Sarah Kohler from Germany in lane 7 who'd swum an excellent race Inevitably the untouchable Ledecky was the winner with Sullivan second and Kohler third. Always to Katie Ledecky, two-time defending champion, four-time world champion, world record holder, gold in the 15, silver in the 400, fifth in the 200, silver in the 4x2 here in Tokyo. The Olympic final of the women's 800 freestyle.
Katie Ledecky, we're expecting to set her pace early by about the 200 meter mark or 150 meter mark. Ledecky should be in front and she'd get in her top gear and stay there. So Ledecky.
Looks across at Titmuss, Titmuss looks across at Ledecky and you can see that is when you need to try and make up the distance. But she's lost it, she's lost the distance between Ledecky. As Ledecky takes a commanding lead into the final 100. Ledecky has been working terrifically hard around 600 and 700 metres.
Ledecky really hurting now, she's working hard, the legs are coming in but the stroke is just almost, the wheels coming off. She's done enough though, over 750 meters. Ledecky on the charge, Titmuss trying everything to come back on level terms but this is gonna be a procession now, 25 meters to go. Ledecky looking across the pool and what she sees is clear water. Titmuss on the charge in the final 25 as is Ledecky.
Ledecky can sense the Australian coming back to her. Gold for Ledecky and a historic 800 freestyle. Ledecky has won three in a row in this event.
Titmuss with the silver and Quadarella, the Italian in bronze. And that's what it means to her.