Ledecky withdraws from 200, 1,500 meters

Katie Ledecky

U.S. swimming star Katie Ledecky withdrew from the women’s 200 meters freestyle heats and 1,500 meters freestyle final in the World Championships Tuesday because of illness.

U.S. team officials said Ledecky, a 14-time world champion, hadn’t been feeling well since arriving in Gwangju, host of the FINA World Aquatics Championships, on July 17. No official diagnosis was immediately available.

Ledecky first pulled out of the 200 meters heats for the morning session and was considered doubtful for the 1,500 meters freestyle final scheduled for Tuesday evening. Shortly after, Ledecky was ruled out of the 1,500 meters as well.

Ledecky was stunned by Australian teenager Ariarne Titmus in the 400 meters freestyle final Sunday, getting denied a chance to win her fourth consecutive title there. Ledecky won the 200 meters free title in 2015 and shared silver with Emma McKeon of Australia in 2017.

Ledecky was trying to sweep the 400 meters, 800 meters and 1,500 meters free titles for the fourth consecutive World Championships, but that bid was foiled at the onset in the 400 meters final. The 800 meters heats will be Friday.

The 200 meters freestyle would have been Round 2 between Ledecky and Titmus, with other established stars Federica Pellegrini of Italy, Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden and Penny Oleksiak of Canada also in the mix.

Yonhap