time: 2:30pm ET, 8:30pm Paris time
US TV: NBC and Peacock
American superstar Katie Ledecky will be part of a trio of medal contenders in the women's 400m freestyle, setting up one of the greatest showdowns in Olympic history. Ledecky is a two-time medalist in the event, having won gold at the 2016 Rio Games and silver at the 2021 Tokyo Games.
But her quest for an eighth Olympic gold medal — one away from tying the record for a female athlete — could be thwarted or at least delayed by fellow gold medal favorites Ariarne Titmus of Australia and Summer McIntosh of Canada, who famously beat Ledecky in Tokyo and set the 2023 world record.
The men's event will be followed by the women's 400m freestyle final. This will be followed by the women's and men's 4x100m freestyle relay finals, in which US star Caleb Dressel is likely to compete. Dressel and the relay team will be looking to defend their gold medal in Tokyo, but could be upstaged by challengers Australia and China. Great Britain and Italy are also favourites to win.
On the women's side, Australia is expected to continue to dominate after winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 4x100m freestyle relay, but the U.S. team, including veteran Simone Manuel, will be hoping for better than a bronze medal in Tokyo.
Going further
Big race to kick off the Olympics: Get ready for the women's 400m freestyle
