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A22 SPORTS
Thursday 27 July 2017
Stunner in Budapest: Ledecky loses for 1st time at worlds

By PAUL NEWBERRY (1:52.98) that still stands
AP National Writer from the rubber-suit era.
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Pellegrini was runner-up at
Katie Ledecky reached for the last two worlds, finish-
the wall. ing behind Franklin in 2013
Someone else was already at Barcelona and Ledecky
there. two years ago.
For the first time ever at On Wednesday, the Italian
the world championships, was back on top in what
Ledecky knows what it’s she called the last 200 of
like to lose. her career.
Bidding to become only “I honestly thought the one
the second female swim- to win the race would be
mer to win six golds at a sin- Katie,” Pellegrini said. “It
gle worlds, Ledecky settled wasn’t.”
for silver in the 200-meter McKeon got off to a blis-
freestyle Wednesday eve- tering start, making the
ning when Italy’s Federica first turn more than a half-
Pellegrini surged to a stun- second below the record
ning victory on the final pace, while Ledecky —
lap. normally a slow starter
Pellegrini, the world-record because of her distance
holder, avenged a close background — was lag-
defeat at the hands of ging in fifth.
Ledecky two years ago in Ledecky turned on the
Kazan, Russia. This time, it Italy’s Federica Pellegrini, front right, kisses her medal as United States’ silver medal winner Katie speed and was just one-
Ledecky, left, looks on after the women’s 200-meter freestyle final during the swimming competi-
was the Italian touching tions of the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. hundredth of a second be-
first in 1 minute, 54.73 sec- Associated Press hind the Aussie when they
onds. made the final flip. But the
Ledecky and Australia’s petition after the Olympics the banks of the Danube. race will really motivate me two leaders, having spent
Emma McKeon tied for the finally ended. Missy Franklin will remain moving forward and the so much energy dueling
silver at 1:55.18. “I didn’t really feel at the the only female swimmer rest of the week as well.” each other, didn’t have
“I just didn’t really have it end that I had that ex- to win a half-dozen events Of course, losing to Pellegri- anything left for the final
today,” Ledecky said. “I tra gear that I normally at worlds, while Ledecky ni was hardly an embar- lap.
can’t complain really with have,” said the 20-year-old can take comfort in be- rassment. Pellegrini sure did.
the silver medal.” Stanford student from the ing the winningest female The 28-year-old became Her closing 50 was a blis-
While Pellegrini covered Washington, D.C., suburbs. swimmer overall. Twelve the first swimmer in the his- tering 28.82 — nearly a full
her mouth in delight and Ledecky had been 12 of golds leave her trailing only tory of the championship second faster than both
climbed atop a lane rope 12 over the last three world fellow Americans Michael to capture seven medals Ledecky and McKeon.
to celebrate, Ledecky championships, including Phelps and Ryan Lochte for in a single individual event. “Everything seemed to be
stared blankly at the score- three golds in this stately the most victories. Pellegrini’s incredible run in in slow motion to me in the
board. European capital. But her Now she’s got a silver, too. the 200 free began at the water,” Pellegrini said. “At
She had never seen a “2’’ most audacious schedule “It happens,” said Ledecky, 2005 worlds in Montreal, 150 meters on the turn we
beside her name at the yet — six freestyle events who will be a heavy gold where she grabbed a sil- were all there, so I closed
world championships. covering distances rang- medal favorite in her last ver. She was third in 2007 at my eyes.”
It was there in Budapest, ing from 100 meters (on a two events, the 4x200 free Melbourne, and then had She paused for a mo-
where Ledecky’s unbeat- relay) to 1,500 (the gruel- relay and the 800 free. “It back-to-back victories, in- ment, as if trying to con-
en streak in the second- ing metric mile) — finally happens to every athlete cluding a world-record per- vince herself that it really
biggest swimming com- caught up with her along at some point. I know this formance at Rome in 2009 happened.q
McDavid disappointed at NHL

decision to skip Olympics

TORONTO (AP) — Edmon- highest stage possible.” ing its regular season.
ton Oilers captain Connor McDavid’s comments When asked whether there
McDavid said he’s disap- came a day after Hockey was the possibility of get-
pointed the NHL won’t be Canada announced it was ting permission from the Oil-
sending players to the Win- looking for non-NHL talent ers to attend the Olympics,
ter Olympic in South Korea. for Canada’s roster in Py- McDavid was non-commit-
“It would have been a spe- eongchang. Sean Burke, tal. “I’m not too involved in
cial group, and you’re just the team’s GM, said Tues- all that stuff,” he said.
hopeful to be a part of it,” day the bulk of Canada’s The NHL Players Association
McDavid told reporters at team will come from play- has said the league’s deci-
a charity event Wednes- ers based in Europe. sion is “short-sighted.”
day. “It’s disappointing, The NHL’s reasons not to The NHL allowed its players
but that’s the way it is. You participate in the upcom- to compete in every Olym-
Eugenie Bouchard, center, Aaron Sanchez, left, and Connor Mc-
David pose for a photograph after competing in a “60 Second want to be able to repre- ing Games include dis- pics since 1998 Nagano
Scramble” promotional event ahead of the Rogers Cup tennis sent your country on the agreements over costs as Games, and Canada was
tournament on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 in Toronto. highest stage, and the well as problems accom- won three of the last four
Associated Press Olympics is obviously the modating the Games dur- gold medals.q