Ledecky, 15, wins gold in 800 free
Katie Ledecky reacts after winning the women's 800m freestyle final. (Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Katie Ledecky of Bethesda won gold in the women’s 800 freestyle, finishing in 8 minutes 14.63 seconds. Ledecky, the youngest member of the U.S. swim team, set an American record.
“At one point I thought I could be close to the world record. [Then I thought] I don’t even care, just get to the wall first,” said Ledecky, who was named All-Met as a freshman at Stone Ridge this past winter.
Her closest competitor, Mireia Belmonte Garcia of Spain, was 4.13 seconds behind.
by Matt McFarland
Phelps wins gold in 100 butterfly
Michael Phelps celebrates after wining the men's 100m butterfly. It was the most decorated Olympian of all time's final individual event. (Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty Images)
In what is expected to be his last individual race, Michael Phelps made a late charge to claim gold in the men’s 100 butterfly. Phelps finished in 51.21 seconds to win his 17th Olympic gold medal and 21st overall.
“I don’t even want to complain about going slower, having a bad touch or finish,” Phelps said. “I’m not even going to say any of that; I’m just happy the last one was a win.”
Phelps also won this event in 2004 and 2008. He is the only man to win a gold medal in an individual swimming event at three straight Olympics; yesterday he won the 200 IM for the third straight time.
American Tyler McGill took seventh in 51.88 seconds.
by Matt McFarland
Franklin sets world record in 200 backstroke
Missy Frankling reacts to see her new world record time in the women's 200m backstroke final with Bronze medalist Elizabeth Beisel. (Clive Rose/Getty Images)
American Missy Franklin won gold and set the world record in the women’s 200-meter backstroke, finishing in 2 minutes 4.06 seconds. This is Franklin’s third gold medal and second individual gold of the London Olympics.
“I just wanted to go out and do my best and get a best time,” Franklin, 17, said. “It just happened to be a world record so I couldn’t be happier.”
Teammate Elizabeth Beisel won the bronze.
by Matt McFarland
U.S. beats China in women's water polo
The U.S. women held off a late rally and beat China, 7-6, in their final Group A preliminary round game. Maggie Steffens led the Americans (2-0-1) with three goals.
All eight teams advance to the quarterfinals in women’s water polo; the U.S. will be the second seed from Group A behind Spain (2-0-1). In the quarterfinals, which begin Sunday, the U.S. will meet Italy.
The remaining quarterfinal matchups are: Hungary vs. Russia, Spain vs. Britain and China vs. Australia. The semifinals are on Tuesday and the gold medal match will be held Thursday.
by Camille Powell
Jones wins silver in men's 50 free
American swimmer Cullen Jones claimed the silver medal in the men’s 50 freestyle, finishing in 21.54 seconds. Florent Manaudou of France won the gold in 21.34.
by Matt McFarland