Ledecky Reclaims 400 Title at Swimming Worlds

Katie Ledecky of United States, center, Summer Mcintosh of Canada, left, and Leah Smith of United States pose with their medals after the women's 400m freestyle final at the 19th FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on June 18, 2022. Petr David Josek/AP Photo

BUDAPEST, Hungary—Katie Ledecky has started the United States’ medal collection at the world swimming championships with a gold by reclaiming her title in the women’s 400 meters on Saturday.

Ledecky clocked 3 minutes, 58.15 seconds—nearly two seconds off the world record—on the first day of racing for her fourth world title in the 400 freestyle after 2013, 2015, and 2017.