PARIS: Ariarne Titmus said on Saturday she couldn’t believe a “fingered girl” from Australia could win back-to-back Olympic 400m freestyle titles as she heaped praise on rival Katie Ledecky.
The no-nonsense 23-year-old fended off Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh and American great Ledecka to join Dawn Fraser as the only Australian swimmers to retain an Olympic crown.
The world record holder was in full control of the touch in 3 minutes 57.49 seconds ahead of McIntosh (3:58.37) and Ledecky (4:00.86), who faded badly in the final 50m.
“I can’t believe it’s me to be honest,” she said when asked what the performance meant.
“I look at myself and I’m so normal. I love swimming and I love going out and representing my country and having fun.”
“I hope no one looks at me differently. I’m the same old goofy Tassie (Tasmanian) girl living the dream.
“I hope it shows, anyone can do anything they want if they work hard and believe in themselves. And here I am, from little old Launie (Launceston), a town of 90,000, living the dream.”
Titmus, who dethroned Ledecky in Tokyo, arrived in France in red-hot form after breaking the 200m world record and swimming the second-fastest 400m at the Australian trials.
But Ledecky can never be written off and McIntosh was always a threat after stealing Titmus’ world record last year before the Australian took it back.
However, that was all for Titmus in Paris, who was close to the world pace record at the halfway point and cruised home comfortably, with McIntosh winning her first Olympic medal by taking silver.
“I’m delighted to get the result for myself and it’s a great honor to be a part of the race and to be alongside legends like Katie,” said Titmus.
“I look up to her so much as an athlete and it’s definitely not a rivalry outside of racing. I really respect her as a person. Her longevity in the sport. It’s nice to catch up and talk.”
“It’s fun to race against the best in the world,” she added. “It gets the best of me, it gets the best of them. I really hope all the hype lives up to expectations. I really hope I put on a good show tonight and everyone enjoyed it.”
Titmus will also swim the 200m and 800m in Paris.
Ledecka opted out of the shorter distance and instead focused on defending her 800m and 1500m titles. McIntosh is also skipping the 200m free, opting instead for the 200m and 400m individual medleys and the 200m butterfly.
