Paris: Katie Ledecky launched her bid for a fourth straight Olympic 800m freestyle title Friday by beating Ariarne Titmus in the heats during a session marred by a Slovak athlete collapsing on the pool deck.
Canadian star Summer McIntosh was also back in La Defense Arena in the 200m medley as she seeks to further burnish her reputation, while Caeleb Dressel kickstarted his 100m butterfly defence.
McIntosh, a decade younger than Ledecky, already has two golds and a silver and is gunning for more glory in the 200m medley, where she topped the timesheets in 2:09.90.
Medical attention
Slovakia’s Tamara Potocka came last behind McIntosh and collapsed as she climbed out of the pool.
The 21-year-old, at her first Olympics, received medical attention and was carried out on a stretcher with an oxygen mask on.
“She’s conscious but we are waiting for a medical update,” organisers said.
Australia’s Kaylee McKeown, who swam the fourth fastest time in history in June, cruised through her medley heat in 2:11.26 ahead of defending her 200m backstroke title on Friday evening.
