Ledecky smashes own record to win women's 400m freestyle
United States' swimmer Katie Ledecky broke her own world record on Sunday on the way to winning the women's 400 meters freestyle gold medal at the Rio Olympics.
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Britain's Jazz Carlin took the silver medal, and Leah Smith of the U.S. won bronze.
Ledecky led from start to finish to set a new mark of three minutes, 56.46 seconds, bettering the 3:58.37 she set in Australia two years ago.
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Katie Ledecky Olympic Profile PointAfter
"It feels really good. I'm pumped. I was so close to breaking it (this morning)," Ledecky said. "I felt good throughout. The swim was almost identical to this morning, but with a bit more pop on the last lap. It's pure happiness."
It was the sixth world record to fall in just two days of competition at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium.
Jazz Carlin took the silver medal on a great night for British swimmers, minutes after Adam Peaty had won gold in the 100 meters breaststroke.
Leah Smith of the United States won bronze.
Ledecky's winning margin of 4.77 seconds underlined her total dominance of the event.
The 19-year-old is also overwhelming favorite to take the 800 meters freestyle, in which she won gold in London four years ago, and is also competing in the 200m freestyle.
RELATED: Women's 400m freestyle swimming Olympic profile
Women's 400m Freestyle Swimming Olympic Profile PointAfter
If she wins all three, Ledecky - who also won a silver in the 4x100 freestyle relay on Saturday - will be the first women to achieve the feat since American Debbie Meyer at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968.
The 2012 London champion Camille Muffat of France was among 10 people killed in March 2015 when two helicopters collided in a remote region of Argentina during the filming of a reality TV show.
