Anticipated Showdown in Women's 400m Freestyle

The women's 400-meter freestyle final at the Paris Summer Olympics is one of the most anticipated events, featuring a showdown between Australia's Ariarne Titmus, Canada's Summer McIntosh, and the USA's Katie Ledecky. Titmus, the current world record holder, is the favorite after her gold medal win in Tokyo 2021, while Ledecky and McIntosh, both past record holders, are strong contenders. The psychological pressures faced by elite swimmers, such as self-doubt and the need for mental toughness, are significant challenges highlighted by athletes like Regan Smith and Caeleb Dressel. The ready room before races can be a scene of varied and intense mental preparations, ranging from meditation to self-talk. Both McIntosh and French swimmer Léon Marchand, trained in the U.S., are major threats to American dominance in swimming events. The final will take place shortly after the opening ceremony, with heats in the morning and the final in the evening.