Click on the video player above to watch live coverage of Monday’s finals session at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
Summer McIntosh geared up for a swimming duel with American star Katie Ledecky and will race for a fourth straight gold in Singapore in Saturday’s 800-metre freestyle.
It could be the Canadian’s toughest challenge yet as McIntosh needs to beat reigning Olympic champion and world-record holder Ledecky for another gold.
McIntosh posted the third-fastest time in Friday’s heats at eight minutes 19.88 seconds behind Ledecky (8:14.62) and Lanni Pallister of Australia (8:17.06).
McIntosh and Ledecky will race in lanes beside each other in the final scheduled for 8:17 a.m. ET.
“Any time I get to race Katie, whether it’s in the 800, which I haven’t done in a while or the 400 or any event really, any time we get a matchup it’s lots of fun,” said McIntosh. “She pushes me to reach bigger goals, so I’m really excited to race her tomorrow night.”
Watch live coverage of every race at the swimming worlds on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem, with finals beginning at 7 a.m. ET each day. The full competition schedule is available here.
The 18-year-old from Toronto beat Ledecky in the 400-metre freestyle on opening day for the first of her three gold medals, which is the most by a Canadian at a world championship.
McIntosh was also victorious in the 200-metre individual medley and 200-metre butterfly.
Her stated goal for Singapore was five wins in her five individual races — the 400 individual medley is Sunday — which is a feat only U.S. great Michael Phelps has achieved at a single world championship.
Ledecky is the only woman to win four gold medals at a long-course world championship, which she did in 2015 in Kazan, Russia.
WATCH | CBC Sports’ The Ready Room recaps Day 6 of worlds in Singapore:
The ‘race of the century’ is upon us as we tee-up Summer McIntosh vs. Katie Ledecky in the women’s 800 freestyle final on The Ready Room. Can you tell Brittany MacLean Campbell and Devin Heroux are excited? The final swims Saturday August 2nd at 8:21 AM ET on CBC Gem.
Reporter Devin Heroux will be on site in Singapore speaking to Canadians following their races, and will join The Ready Room show live on YouTube every day after finals, with Brittany MacLean Campbell hosting from Toronto. The show will include Canadian highlights, athlete interviews and analysis.
