Ledecky scratches from 1,500 free at US meet

CHICAGO: Five-time Olympic champion Katie Ledecky scratched from the 1,500 freestyle Saturday at the US Swim Championships, but is still likely to defend her world title in the event later this month.

Ledecky has won three titles at this week’s American qualifying meet for the worlds, set for July 14-30 at Budapest, Hungary.

Because Ledecky is already on the team, she can be named to join the US champion as the second entrant in the event for the US World Championships squad.

Since she set the world record of 15:25.48 at the 2015 worlds in Russia, it would be a stunner if she weren’t chosen for the spot.

Ledecky added the 400 free title Friday to her 200 and 800 crowns for a 13th career American title. Her winning time of 3:58.44 was the fastest in the world this year by almost four seconds.

“I felt pretty controled,” Ledecky said. “Just getting out there and putting together a good swim, and feeling good throughout the whole thing made me really happy. I’ve always tried to have that consistency.

“I haven’t really set time goals for this year. I just want to put together good swims and have some fun with it.”

Ledecky captured 200, 400 and 800 free Olympic gold last year in Rio -- defending the 800 crown she won in London -- and helped the US women’s 4x200 relay win as well.

She won the world 400, 800 and 1,500 freestyle titles and shared in a 4x200 free relay win in 2013 at Barcelona and defended those crowns in 2015 at Russia while adding the 200 free to her trophy haul.