LONDON - American 15-year-old Katie Ledecky won the 800-meter freestyle at the London Olympics on Friday.

The youngest member of the U.S. swim team narrowly missed a world record in the grueling race, falling off pace on the last lap and finishing in 8 minutes, 14.63 seconds.

Mireia Belmonte Garcia of Spain touched in 8:18.76 to take the silver medal and defending champion Rebecca Adlington of host Britain finished in 8:20.32 for bronze.

Adlington set the world record of 8:14.10 at the 2008 Beijing Games.

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for kids at that age...Phelps started taking big chunks of time off his best at the age of 15 to 16.

female swimmer shaved 4 seconds I forget who. I'm thinking Beisel from last night but I'm sure I'm mistaken.

BUT...I wouldn't wait until she grows up...most female swimmers don't get better with age as their bodies change...same with female gymnasts...remember Janet Evans?

No to p**s on her victory, but just pointing it out.

I was wondering why it seemed like the male swimmers were mostly grown men while the females were mostly teenagers.

I'm far from an expert in gymnastics but I wonder why the better females are short and tiny while the better males (it seems) are big, strong, & muscular?

But as women age, their bodies change in ways that make it harder for some things...same with figure skating...they're all pixies in that, too.