Ruthless Katie Ledecky smashes world record as she captures gold in 1500m final
KATIE LEDECKY produced a stunning swim as she smashed the world record to claim gold in the 1500m.
Ledecky and Lotte Friis exploded from the blocks and were neck and neck for most of the race.
Ledecky was strongest through the first few turns, but Friis appeared to have her number as she moved through the gears.
Katie Ledecky sets new world record as she wins gold
But Ledecky picked up the pace and pulled away from the Dane to obliterate the world record and come home in a time of 15:36:53.
The 16-year-old American, who is the Olympic champion cruised to victory at the expense of Friis who settled for silver with a time of 15:38.88.
New Zealand's Lauren Boyle took bronze.