Rio 2016: Jazz Carlin wins silver medal in women's 400m freestyle final to follow Adam Peaty's lead

Carlin finishes second in the women's 400m freestyle to secure Team GB's second Olympic medal in the space of 14 minutes

Jazz Carlin reacts to winning silver in the women's 400m freestyle final (PA)

Britain’s Jazz Carlin claimed a superb silver medal in the 400 metres freestyle final on Sunday night. She had a tough act to follow in the pool and a tough opponent to chase but still claimed second with a brilliant swim and a time of 4:01.23.

The Welshwoman’s race was immediately after her Team GB team-mate Adam Peaty’s sensational world record setting golden victory in the100m breaststroke and she hit the wall with a personal best time. The race was won by the remarkable American Katie Ledecky, who led all the way and set a new world record of 3:56.46.

Carlin, who won bronze in the World Championships in the 800m freestyle last year, had set a personal best of 4:02.83 earlier in the day in the semi-final and was in good spirits heading into the final and will be delighted with her silver. Ledecky is untouchable.

The American, just 19, is on track for four golds here in Brazil and could break world records aplenty as she goes. This year, she has recorded the world’s fastest times in the 200m, 400m, 800m and 1,500m freestyle. She has been four seconds faster than her nearest rival in the 400m, and almost 11 seconds ahead of her nearest rival in the 800m.

She is an incredible swimmer. Only 6ft she has no right to destroy opponents in the manner she does. But her work ethic allied to a neat stroke and fierce determination make her invincible. She will dominate women’s swimming for years to come.

Ledecky is often compared to the most bejewelled Olympian of all time, her compatriot Micheal Phelps in terms of her high-elbow stroke that keeps her dragging through the water. In her career, Ledecky, who beat Rebecca Adlington to gold in the 800m freestyle in London 2012, has now swum in 13 individual finals and never lost. That number could keep climbing.

Carlin though can be just as happy with her efforts.