Watch Races Of Regan Smith, Katie Ledecky From Final Night of U.S. Open (Videos)
A double by Regan Smith and more distance excellence from Katie Ledecky and Bobby Finke accounted for the major headlines on the final night of the U.S. Open at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. Smith grabbed first-place finishes in the 200 backstroke and 200 butterfly and Ledecky and Finke were quickest in their respective 1500 freestyles.
The U.S. Open was the first major long-course competition since last summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo and provided a midseason checkpoint for some of the country’s elite swimmers. Early next year, USA Swimming attention will shift to the TYR Pro Series events and, eventually, qualifying for the 2022 World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.
At the Olympics, Smith was the silver medalist in the 200 butterfly and bronze medalist in the 100 backstroke while Ledecky and Finke each doubled in the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle. Ledecky also claimed silver in the 400 freestyle and as a member of the United States’ 800 freestyle relay. Ledecky’s triumph in the 800 freestyle was her third straight in the event while Finke was the first American to win a distance gold at the Olympics since 1984.
The aforementioned World Champs were originally scheduled for 2021, but were moved back a year when the Olympic Games were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The change will lead to back-to-back years in which World Champs are held, as the 2023 edition will retain its place on the aquatic calendar. And, with 2024 featuring the Olympic Games in Paris, there will be four consecutive years in which the sport holds a global championships meet.
Here are videos of the championship finals from the last night of competition at the U.S. Open.
