Katie Ledecky beats Rebecca Adlington to 800m freestyle gold

United States teen Katie Ledecky pulled off a shock in the women's 800m freestyle final, beating home favourite Rebecca Adlington to the gold medal.

The American was ahead of world record pace for much of the duration, and distanced herself from the Briton with several lengths to spare.

Ledecky hit the side at 8:14.63, just short of the world record, to claim the gold. Mireia Belmonte Garcia of Spain raised her game in the final length to take silver.

Adlington remained in the top three throughout the race, clawing her way into second for brief spells before falling away. She came in two seconds behind the Spaniard on 8:20.32 to bag bronze.

The result sees Adlington pick up her second bronze at London 2012, having come third in the 400m event.