USA's Bobby Finke sets 1500M freestyle world record with second-straight Olympic gold in event

The man to beat in the 1500-meter men's freestyle is Bobby Finke.

The 24-year-old is now a three-time Olympic gold medalist after defending his title in the event on Sunday.

It's the seventh gold medal for Americans in the swimming pool, and the 26th overall. 

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The seven golds ties USA with Australia for the most in swimming, although they've had a much higher success rate, as they've earned just 17 total medals.

Finke failed to go back-to-back in the 800m free earlier in the Games, settling for the silver by just over half a second. 

Finke held a half-a-second lead at the midway point and was ahead of world record pace, but Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri. But Finke turned on the jets, growing his lead to 1.3 seconds with 500 meters to go, and getting way ahead of world record pace.

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