Can anyone stop Katie Ledecky in 800m freestyle and 1500m freestyle at Paris Olympics 2024? A look at some of American's toughest opponents

Katie Ledecky is renowned for being one of the greatest female swimmers of all time. Her dominance in the freestyle disciplines having won the gold in every event ranging from 200m to 1500m distinguishes her as one of the best freestyle swimmers in history.

Currently, the 27-year-old is the dominant swimmer in the women’s 800m and 1500m freestyle events as she holds the world record in both long course (50m) and short course (25m) in the disciplines. In the 1500m freestyle, the American competitive swimmer owns all of the top 18 times.

Being the gold medalist in both distances at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she will head into the 2024 Paris Olympics to defend her titles over the freestyle long distances. With a best time of 15:37.35 in the 1500m in 2024, Katie Ledecky appears to be in a great position to win a second consecutive title in the event.

However, Katie Ledecky might face a challenge in winning the 800m freestyle as her competitors have times closer to hers in the event in 2024 compared to the 1500m. Notably, Ledecky's best performance in 2024 in the 800m freestyle is 8:12.95 which she swam at the 2024 TYR Pro Series in San Antonio.

With current world leader Summer McIntosh not swimming the 800m at the Paris Olympics as she skipped the event at the Canadian Olympic trials, let's look at some of the toughest opponents Katie Ledecky will face as she aims for her fourth Olympic gold in the distance.

A look at few of the toughest opponents of Katie Ledecky in the 800m freestyle

#3. Lani Pallister

Lani Pallister during the 2024 Australian Swimming Trials. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Lani Pallister will be making her Olympic debut in the 800m and 1500m freestyle at the Paris Olympics. She came second at the 2024 AUS Olympic Trials with a swim of 8:18.46 in the 800m freestyle to secure her berth in the Quadrennial Games.

Having clocked a 08:15.11 at the 2023 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Budapest, Pallister is certainly one of the athletes to watch out for in the 800m freestyle.

#2 Simona Quadarella

Simona Quadarella poses with her gold medal at Doha 2024 World Aquatics Championships (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Simona Quadarella, who won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, is another swimmer to look out for at the Paris Olympics. She owns a personal best of 08:14.99 in 800m.

The 25-year-old recently won the 400m, 800m and 1500m events at the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome. She also won two golds at the Italian Championships and another two golds at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha.

The Italian's recent performance make her a top contender for a medal in the 800m event at the Paris Olympics and one that Katie Ledecky will have to be wary of.

#1 Ariarne Titmus

Ariarne Titmus at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The swimmer who arguably poses a more serious challenge to Katie Ledecky than anyone else in the distance events is Australian star Ariarne Titmus. Titmus won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the distance, only behind Ledecky, and will be looking to turn the color of the medal at the Paris Olympics.

At the 2024 Australian Swimming Trials, she achieved a time of 8:14.06 to win the event. In addition, she holds a personal best of 08:13.59 in the distance which she clocked at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and later equaled at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships.