Sports

Ledecky Sails Through to Olympic Finals

Bethesda swimmer Katie Ledecky, 15, will compete for a medal in the women's 800m freestyle after winning her qualifying heat.

Bethesda native Katie Ledecky, 15, finished first in her heat and third overall in London Thursday morning during the women's 800m freestyle qualifying heats.

The Olympic swimmer and student is the

Ledecky swam in the third of five heats. She finished with a time of 8:23.34, in the overall results coming in just behind Briton Rebecca Adlington at 8:21.78 and Lotte Friis of Denmark at 8:21.89.

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Reuters captured an image of Ledecky swimming to the win in her heat.

Following the competition, "Ledecky told NBC4's Dan Hellie that she was a little nervous and anxious for her first Olympic swim, and that she may have gotten off to too fast of a start," NBC Washington reported.

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Ledecky has about 10 family members rooting for her in London, along with an enthusiastic and growing fan base at home in Bethesda and across the country.

The finals are set for 7:43 p.m. Friday, London time, and 2:43 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

This time, Ledecky will be swimming with a medal at stake.

This post has been updated.


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