Ledecky Wins Heat In 200 Meter Semi-Final, Progresses To Final

BETHESDA, MD — Katie Ledecky won her heat in the 200 meter freestyle semi-final Monday night, qualifying for the final race Tuesday night. She swam the race in 1 minute and 55.34 seconds.

She'll once again face Ariarne Titmus, who handed Ledecky her first individual Olympic loss in the 400 meter freestyle Sunday. The Australian swimmer told reporters after the race that Ledecky was the reason she's become the athlete she is.

"I wouldn't be here without her," Titmus said about Ledecky . "She's set this amazing standard for distance freestyle for girls. And if I didn't have someone like her to chase, I definitely wouldn't be swimming the way I am."

Following her silver medal win on Sunday, Ledecky set the inaugural Olympic record in her 1,500 meter freestyle heat and won her 200 meter freestyle heat Monday morning. This is the first year women are competing in the 1,500 meter freestyle at the Olympic Games.

The 24-year-old went to Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart and graduated in 2015. She competed in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, earning six medals during that time— five gold and one silver (in a really event).

Ledecky swam as a student at Stanford University and was an eight-time NCAA individual champion during her time there. She's won 15 gold and and three silver World Championship medals.

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