Swimming, Finals, Day 7: Ledecky imperial, Schooling makes history!

And the seventh World Record came at Day 7 of the swimming competition at these Rio 2016 Olympic Games. In an outstanding solitary effort in the women’s 800m free, Katie Ledecky (USA) largely improved her own global mark, touching for gold in 8:04.79, almost two seconds faster than the time (8:06.68) she recorded in January 2016. With this victory, the 19-year-old earns her fifth medal and fourth gold here in Rio, after the titles in the 200m, 400m and 4x200m free, and the silver in the 4x100m free. This victory also continues her winning strike in individual events since London 2012, and including the 2013 and 2015 FINA World Championships.

In a race without opposition for Ledecky, the silver went to Jazz Carlin (GBR) in (a distant) 8:16.17, while Boglarka Kapas (HUN) got the bronze in 8:16.37. The British swimmer had been third at the 2015 Worlds, while the Magyar competitor was sixth in the Olympic final four years ago. Lotte Friis, the 2009 world champion and silver medallist in 2011 and 2013 was only seventh, while Mireia Belmonte (ESP), runner-up in London, finished in fourth.

In the other great race of the day, 21-year-old Joseph Schooling, one of the 2015 revelations – he was third at FINA’s showcase in Kazan -, earned the first gold medal-ever for his country Singapore in the history of the Olympic Games! In an outstanding achievement, Schooling, the fastest of the semis, controlled very well the pace of the race, and touched in 50.39, a new Olympic record. The previous best mark (50.58) of the Games had been established by Michael Phelps (USA) in Beijing 2008, when he beat Serbian Milorad Cavic by the minimum difference of 0.01. Speaking about Phelps, he was aiming at his fourth consecutive Olympic title in this event, but had this time to content with silver (his 27th medal at Olympics), together with Chad Le Clos (RSA) and Laszlo Cseh (HUN), all in 51.14. This constitutes also a new landmark in the history of the Games, as never before had a swimming race concluded with three silver medallists! The three men (eternal rivals in this event), hand in hand, before climbing to the second march of the podium will certainly be one the images to retain from these Olympics in Rio.

In another thrilling race, the women’s 200m backstroke, Maya Dirado (USA) gave everything she had in the last 10m to take the Olympic title in 2:05.99, beating Katinka Hosszu (HUN), who had controlled the final until the very last metres. The Magyar star got the silver in 2:06.05, while the bronze went to Hilary Caldwell (CAN) in 2:07.54. Dirado had already a gold in Rio, with her 4x200m free relay triumph, while Hosszu was looking for her fourth triumph, after the titles in the 200m and 400m IM, and the 100m backstroke.  

Finally, in the men’s 50m free, 2012 Olympic champion and 2015 gold medallist at the Worlds, Florent Manaudou (FRA), could not revalidate his title, losing to Anthony Ervin (USA), winner in 21.40. The French star earned silver in 21.41, while the bronze went to Nathan Adrian (USA) in 21.49. This is a phenomenal return from Ervin, 35, who had won the same event at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney! 16 years later, he comes back to the top of the world hierarchy, beating Manaudou, nine years younger. Adrian was the 2012 Olympic champion in the 100m free.

In the only semi-final of the evening, Pernille Blume (DEN) confirmed her good shape from the heats, and was once more the fastest of the semis, this time in 24.28. The sisters Campbell will also swim in the decisive race (Cate was third and Bronte concluded in fifth), while Therese Alshammar (SWE) will not compete in the final (she was 15th): at almost 39, this is her sixth participation in the Olympics, where she won three medals in Sydney 2000.

Women’s 200m back

Maya Dirado (USA), gold:
 
"It has been a lot of tears the past few days. These Olympics have been so inspirational and I have used these emotions to give me a boost for the race. I knew this was my last chance and I enjoyed every little piece of it."

"The emotion definitely came out as soon as I finished. It was pretty visible I think. I couldn't stop looking at my family because I hadn't touched and talked to them since 4 weeks. I am a cryier. This is how it comes out."

"My backstroke came very far. Since last year it is really good and it has become my event."

"I have to finish college now. I feel so much love from people from there."

Katinka Hosszu (HUN), silver:

"I am pleased with this. We have been racing a lot together and it's cool when you arrive at a final and you know the person racing next to you very well."

"I think I did pretty well with three. Going to the USA allowed me to train even harder. All the girls walking out of this final have at least been training hard for 20 or 15 years."

"Right now I would want to win more races. I would like to swim more. But I mean, 3 golds and this silver is good. I felt the fire today and I want to get back to work because next summer is Budapest, it will be pretty special for me of course."

Men’s 100m fly

Joseph Schooling (SIN), gold

"It's crazy and hasn't sunk it yet. I need a couple of days out to digest what has happened. It is an honour and this means even more to my family and friends. I did this for them and it means a lot when you end up accomplishing."

"It means a lot for Singapore. It was a tough road, a lot of pressure. I am just blessed and privileged because it was a kids dream for me. It shows that people form the smaller country in the world can still do great things."

"The crowd was a going nut for Michael so it is hard to stay focus. That was pretty crazy."

"You can't learn anything like that over night. I couldn't handle it in the beginning but with experience it comes and you learn to manage the pressure. It's all about how bad you want it."

"Growing up I have always idolized Michael. He is the perfect guy and one can only dream to accomplish what he did. I wanted to be like him. So victorious, I wanted to win."

"I am lucky to have such a great coach. I wasn't the easiest kid to coach, I was 15 and didn't really want to be there. But now I give a lot of credit to him and my parents."

Laszlo Cseh (HUN), silver

"I don't know if I will be in Tokyo yet. I have the capacity the train more and do more so we will see. First there is the FINA World Championships, at home. I would like to be more prepared for this event. Maybe I can do the same event but better."

"I am not surprised about Joseph's result. This guy is very fast in the first 50 metres."

Chad Le Clos (RSA), silver

"It was a bit longer holding hands. It was a great race. We were on the podium and it almost felt like a relay. It is crazy to think back about this year and see where I am now. I am a little bit disappointed for my part, that's the way I feel but I won't shy away."

Michael Phelps (USA), silver

"I am going to travel after all of this. I am really looking forward to seeing Nicole and Boomer and my family. Spend some time with them. We're getting married at the end of the year, busy schedule but good. I still have to race tomorrow."

"I wanted to change the sport of swimming. It is something I wanted to do and I am looking to continuing to do so. I had a blast in my career. I want kids to believe the sky is the limit."

"What Ledecky is doing is insane. Today was the first time I saw her in tears, true emotions coming out of her. She can be proud for all those world records. Hopefully she can keep progressing."

Women’s 800m free

Katie Ledecky (USA), gold

"I was so emotional tonight because it was the last one of the week. I saw my family and I got very emotional."

"This week has been a lot of fun and the whole team has done so well. I am so proud of everyone, a hell of week for team USA!"

"Anthony was amazing tonight. Wow! 16 years after the beginning of his career, it is great."

"I haven't set my goals after this point so we will see. College swimming will be my priority for this year and team's goals will be more important for a while. For sure I will set individual ones too! College is going to be very exciting. I have to go home and get my stuff ready for the dorm and all."

Jazz Carlin (GBR), silver

"It's quite tough when you have such a great athlete in your event who has broken a WR every time she swam it."

Men’s 50m free

Anthony Ervin (USA), gold  

"I feel lucky and privileged that I could work with my coach. Dave welcomed me and he is an incredible coach and human-being. All our staff is unbelievable. They take care of our minds and bodies. I am not sure the other teams get this sort of help."

"After London it was easier to keep going. I just wanted to swim, after putting myself into such great shape and all the efforts. I didn't want to disappoint the people that had been supporting me all along."

"My daughter was born when I was at a trial. I missed her birth but I will call her for sure later."

Florent Manaudou (FRA), silver

"When you win at 21 it is complicated to step back but I really wanted to win this race. Unfortunately I wasn't the best tonight. I won in London but it didn't work this time."

"When you are American, an Olympic title is pretty normal but for a French person it is less common. Those past 24 hours weren't easy. It is some kind of relief to know that the Games are almost over…”

"I am now going to take a three-month break. At the moment, I want to party. I don't know more about my future."

Nathan Adrian (USA), bronze

"The 100m takes more emotion and energy but the 50 takes more power. There are two completely different events."

"Dave (the coach) doesn't have a one type approach. This is what makes him successful."

"I felt I had a responsibility for the team coming here."