American swimming sensation Katie Ledecky has set a world record mark - without intending to do so.
Ledecky went into her preliminary heat at the FINA World Swimming Championships in the women's 1,500-meter freestyle intending to merely qualify for the finals, with her coach even telling her to take the first 900 metres easy.
Through those first 900 metres - a period Ledecky admitted to resting her legs - the 18-year-old was remarkably 1.5 seconds under world record pace.
As she built up throughout the race, she caught sight of her friends and family urging her on, and realised what was up.
"I was barely even focusing on this morning's swim," she told the Washington Post. "I was just so relaxed."
