2023 PRO SWIM SERIES – WESTMONT
The field at this week’s Pro Swim Series stop in Westmont has been dealt a blow.
Katie Ledecky, one of swimming’s biggest superstars, has pulled out of the competition due to illness.
Ledecky announced her withdrawal on social media Tuesday, saying she’s been feeling under the weather over the last week.
Ledecky, 26, was entered in five events in Westmont, coming in as the top seed in the women’s 400 free, 800 free and 400 IM while holding down the fifth seed in both the 100 free and 200 IM.
The reigning world champion in the women’s 400, 800 and 1500 free, Ledecky has been among the top performers through the first two stops of the 2023 Pro Swim Series, winning three events at the opening leg in Knoxville in January and then following up with two victories and two runner-up finishes in last month’s visit to Fort Lauderdale.
Ledecky’s Top Times, 2022-23 Season
- 200 free – 1:54.96, 2023 Fort Lauderdale PSS (2nd in world)
- 400 free – 3:59.71, 2022 U.S. Open (2nd in world)
- 800 free – 8:13.90, 2022 U.S. Open (1st in world)
- 1500 free – 15:37.99, 2023 Knoxville PSS (1st in world)
- 400 IM – 4:36.04, 2023 Fort Lauderdale PSS (3rd in world)
This week’s competition will get underway on Wednesday evening with timed finals of the 800 freestyle before three full days of racing from Thursday to Saturday at the FMC Aquatic Center in Westmont, Ill.
Despite Ledecky’s withdrawal, there will still be plenty of star power at the event, with the likes of Ryan Murphy, Regan Smith and Leon Marchand just a few of the key names in attendance. See a breakdown of the entry list here.
This marks the third of four stops on the 2023 Pro Swim Series circuit, with the final leg set for May 17-20 in Mission Viejo, Calif.
The U.S. National Championships, which will serve as the qualifying meet for the 2023 World Championships, will then run from June 27 – July 1 in Indianapolis.
