Tokyo 2020 - Katie Ledecky looked a little 'flat' and 'slow' despite Olympic gold, according to Keri-Anne Payne

ByNadeem Badshah

Published 28/07/2021 at 17:37 GMT

There is more to come from USA's Katie Ledecky in her swimming showdown with Australia’s Ariarne Titmus after her maiden gold of the Tokyo Games. That is the view of British swimmer Keri-Anne Payne who believes the American looked a little bit "flat" and "slow" despite beating compatriot Erica Wiliams by more than four seconds in the inaugural 1500m final.

Katie Ledecky looked a little “flat” and “slow” despite winning Olympic gold in the 1500m freestyle final, according to British swimmer Keri-Anne Payne.

The American, who had missed out on gold in the 200m and 400m freestyle finals, bounced back to finish over four seconds ahead of compatriot Erica Sullivan.

But Payne, an Olympic silver medallist, believes there is more to come from Ledeceky, 24, in the 800m final.

Speaking on Eurosport’s Tokyo Today, she said: “In my opinion she looked a little flat, she looked a little bit slow, a little bit short in the performance that she put on today.

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Katie Ledecky of United States is seen on the podium after winning the Women's 1500m Freestyle final on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Image credit: Getty Images

“But she still is Olympic champion.”

Payne added the 800m is “going to be an interesting one.”

• Ledecky dominates to win 1500m freestyle for first Tokyo gold
• Titmus wins second gold at Tokyo in 200m freestyle final, Ledecky fifth

Ledecky and Titmus are expected to face off in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay.

The 20-year-old Tasmanian, nicknamed The Terminator, won gold in the 200m and 400m finals.

Ledecky dominates to win 1500m freestyle for first Tokyo gold

It is only the first and second time Ledecky has lost individual finals in her three Olympic outings.

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