Ledecky's Star Power Shines Amid U.S. Swimming Concerns

Katie Ledecky's brilliance and a strong finish from her female teammates highlighted an otherwise challenging campaign for Team USA during the swimming world championships in Singapore.

Ahead of the event, preparations were disrupted by a gastroenteritis outbreak at a pre-meet camp in Thailand. Despite these setbacks, Team USA topped the medal table with nine golds, surpassing Australia once again. However, with the Los Angeles Olympics only three years away, concerns loom for the hosts regarding team performance.

Among the men, Luca Urlando secured the sole individual title in the 200 meters butterfly, an event notably devoid of France's Olympic champion, Leon Marchand. Criticism from swimming legends Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps surfaced, particularly as the men's relay teams fell short of expectations, prompting calls for stronger strategies going forward.

Contrastingly, the women rose to the occasion, led by Ledecky's double gold in the 800m and 1500m freestyle events, and Gretchen Walsh's butterfly victories. These successes allowed American swimmers to counter critiques, with Bobby Finke calling out some criticism as ineffectual.

Team morale remains buoyed despite internal challenges and rising competition, notably from European athletes capitalizing on U.S. college training. As global rivalries intensify, all eyes are on the U.S. to deliver in the 2028 Los Angeles Games at the monumental SoFi Stadium swimming venue.

(With inputs from agencies.)