The Katie Ledecky event remains the Katie Ledecky event

Without any surprises, Katie Ledecky led from start to finish in the event where she holds the World and Olympic Records and finished on top of Heat 4 comfortably with a time of 8:15.67. The battle for second place was a spectacular race to witness with fellow US swimmer Katie Grimes, Italy's Simona Quadrella, and Germany's Sarah Kohler all being neck-to-neck until the final touch. 15-year-old Grimes finished second with Quadrella in third!