GWANGJU, South Korea, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Five-time Olympic champion Katie Ledecky of the United States withdrew Tuesday from two races, including the women's 200m freestyle heats and the 1,500m freestyle final, on an unspecified ailment at the 18th FINA World Championships in the South Korean city of Gwangju.
"A decision has been made by Team USA in consultation with Katie, her coach and the team's medical staff for her to withdraw from the 200m freestyle event on medical grounds," the organization's statement said about one and a half hours before the start of the 200m preliminaries in the morning.
In the women's 200m freestyle trials, Emma McKeon of Australia and Taylor Ruck of Canada also pulled out of the races. McKeon and Ruck were among the biggest podium placers in the event.
Ledecky allegedly decided later to skip the 1,500m freestyle final in the evening.
The U.S. swimmer has not felt well since she arrived in Gwangju on July 17, according to the organization's statement.
The pullout decision was made two days after Ledecky failed to capture her fourth straight world title in the 400m freestyle. The 14-time world champion was defeated by Australian teenager Ariarne Titmus.
In the 1,500m freestyle heats, Ledecky recorded the fastest qualifying time of 15 minutes and 48.90 seconds.
