Katie Ledecky breaks her own world record at Rio 2016: Twitter reacts
By David Rouben
Katie Ledecky’s record-breaking performance in the 400 m freestyle set the Internet on fire.
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Katie Ledecky proved that she is the female version of Michael Phelps when she shattered her own world record in the 400 m freestyle. She clocked in at 3 minutes and 58 seconds, a full four seconds before the second place swimmer Jazz Carlin, to capture Gold.
It was an extraordinary feat and the Internet, which is usually a cynical and sarcastic place, could only watch and marvel at Ledecky’s accomplishment.
That's a WORLD RECORD and #GOLD for @katieledecky!#TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/Mg0agM6PZC
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 8, 2016
Katie Ledecky is ... oh my god
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) August 8, 2016
NEW WORLD RECORD!!!!!
— Jen LC (@RegressedPDO) August 8, 2016
Katie Ledecky is good at swimming #analysis
— Daniel Squizzato ⭐️🇺🇦 (@DanielSquizzato) August 8, 2016
The world record has been WAFFLEBOARDED AWAY, Katie Ledecky, MY GOODNESS! The chant is "USA!"
— Doc Emrick (@DocInRealLife) August 8, 2016
Is it legal for Katie Ledecky to finish the last ten feet of every race doing the running man underwater
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) August 8, 2016
Ledecky was already dry when the silver medal winner finished.
— Scott Kennedy (@ScottTKennedy) August 8, 2016
Boss. #Ledecky
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) August 8, 2016
Katie Ledeckytariat
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 8, 2016
Imagine how hard it is to make the Olympics, and win gold, and set a record, and the record you beat is YOUR OWN EFFING RECORD.
— Steve “Dangle” Glynn (@Steve_Dangle) August 8, 2016
Katie Ledecky is an incredible story. At 15 years old, she was the youngest American to compete in the Olympic Games when she made her debut in London. Breaking her own world record at 19 years old is proof that she is only just getting started, and will continue to be a dominant force in women’s swimming for a very long time.
Pretty soon, we’ll be talking about her the way we talk about Michael Phelps, and she’s well on her way to becoming as decorated as him. Ledecky’s win also proves that USA is a powerhouse when it comes to swimming, as they just keep churning out world class athletes. If the Americans end up on top of the medal board in Rio, she will be a big part of it.