Performer of the day: Katie ‘the Aquawoman’ Ledecky

Katie Ledecky of the United States destroyed the field in the 800 metres freestyle on Friday, breaking her own world record to complete a rare Olympic swimming treble. (AP)

Updated on: Aug 13, 2016 3:40 PM IST

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Updated on Aug 13, 2016 3:40 PM

Katie Ledecky of the United States destroyed the field in the 800 metres freestyle on Friday, breaking her own world record to complete a rare Olympic swimming treble. (AP)

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Updated on Aug 13, 2016 3:40 PM

Ledecky, defending Olympic champion at the distance, added to her golds earlier in the week in the 200 and 400 freestyle and the 4x200 freestyle relay, plus a silver in the 4x100 relay. (REUTERS)

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She’s not going the wrong way, she’s just that far ahead. Ledecky was merely racing the clock as she powered away from the field to touch in 8 minutes, 4.79 seconds, eclipsing the mark of 8:06.68 that she set at a grand prix meet in Texas back in January. (Getty Images)

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Some 23 seconds after Ledecky touched the wall, the last of the eight finalists chugged to the end of the grueling race. (Getty Images)

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Ledecky rarely shows her emotions, maintaining the sort of even keel that works so well in the pool. On the medal stand, though, she finally broke down in tears. She’s only 19, after all. (NYT)