Ledecky adjusts routine for prime time glory bid By Reuters

By Steve Keating

(Reuters) – Katie Ledecky and different U.S. Olympic hopefuls will get a style of Tokyo at a Mission Viejo swim meet this weekend that may present a costume rehearsal for the Games with morning finals and night preliminaries.

Not because the 2008 Beijing Olympics have swimmers needed to cope with the scheduling flip flop put in place to permit broadcasters to televise races dwell in prime time again within the United States.

At these Olympics it was Michael Phelps and his quest for eight gold medals within the highlight whereas in Tokyo it is going to be Ledecky and Caeleb Dressel getting the prime time remedy.

Having claimed 5 gold medals from the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics, Ledecky may double her profession haul in Tokyo the place she is going to swim the 200, 400, 800 and 1,500 metres freestyle occasions in addition to relays.

Ledecky’s Olympic program is definitely worthy of prime time, highlighted by the 24-year-old’s bid for an historic double by successful the 1,500m, a brand new occasion for the ladies in Tokyo, and 200m on the identical day.

Adding to the issue, Ledecky should drag herself away from bed and rapidly get in gear to get to the highest of the rostrum.

“I’m excited for the challenge, I’m excited for the opportunity to show my range,” mentioned Ledecky in the course of the Team USA Tokyo Olympic digital media summit on Thursday.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about this past year, just making sure I am doing everything I can to prepare myself both mentally and physically for those different things.”

The meet this week in Mission Viejo, California will signify the one and solely likelihood swimmers must get a really feel for morning finals and effective tune their pre-race routines.

While they’re use to gruelling early morning coaching classes, peaking for an Olympic closing would require a couple of resets.

“This week is a great opportunity for me to practise things and also hopefully come away with some takeaways of what I can do better next time we have the flip schedule which will be in Tokyo,” mentioned Ledecky, the world file holder in 400, 800 and 1,500 metres.

“Just ensuring I’m alert, occupied with what I’m consuming, what gas I wish to have going into finals within the morning.

“Over the last couple of years my coaches have added some tougher morning practices so we’ve been swimming fast in the morning in training so I am not really concerned about the fact I am able to race.”