Inside Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O'Callaghan's friendship after their incredible moment on the podium in Paris
Australian swimming has a new champion following Mollie O'Callaghan's incredible record-breaking win at Paris 2024, beating out even fan-favourite Ariarne Titmus.
But Titmus, who snagged the silver, wasn't the least bit bummed about seeing the 20-year-old take the top spot on the podium.
"I know what it's like to be Olympic champion. I'm honestly happy for her, and I'm really happy to be on the podium," Titmus, 23, said afterwards.
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Mollie O'Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus had a wholesome moment on the Paris podium. Sarah Stier/Getty Images
O'Callaghan captured Aussie hearts all over again when she invited her teammate Titmus to share the gold spot on the podium beside her.
Keep reading to learn all about their record-breaking final at Paris 2024, their friendship, and more.
Who is Mollie O'Callaghan?
20-year-old Mollie O'Callaghan is one of the members of the Australian Olympic swimming team competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The then 17-year-old made her Olympics debut in Tokyo, making her the youngest member of the Aussie swimming squad.
Watch every moment, every medal of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Plus, every event ad-free and in 4K on Stan Sport
Mollie O'Callaghan debuted on the Aussie Olympics squad for the Tokyo games. Adam Pretty/Getty Images
In her first Olympics, the star athlete took home two gold and a bronze medal with the Aussie team.
Back for round two in Paris, O'Callaghan has already scored gold, winning the 200m freestyle final.
Who is Ariarne Titmus?
Ariarne Titmus is another member of the Australian swimming team in Paris this year.
The 23-year-old star swimmer previously competed in Tokyo where she took home two gold medals, including one for the 200m freestyle where she set the new record.
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Titmus is also on the Aussie swimming team. Getty
Titmus was dethroned by her teammate Mollie O'Callaghan in Paris who won the gold for the same event.
Titmus and O'Callaghan's final at Paris 2024
The 200m freestyle final was an Aussie showdown between reigning champion Ariarne Titmus and her teammate Mollie O'Callaghan.
O'Callaghan ended up taking home the gold for the race, beating her training partner by more than half a second for the top spot.
The 20-year-old's win – her first in an individual event – also marked an incredible new Olympic record of 1:53.27.
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Mollie O'Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus at the end of the 200m freestyle race in Paris. Getty
While the two were competitors in the pool, they had a sweet moment of friendship at the end of the race, sharing a heartwarming hug across their lanes.
The comraderie didn't stop there though. When it came time to receive their medals on the podium, O'Callaghan sweetly brought Titmus to share the gold spot with her.
"It's such an honour to be with everyone, and compete against Arnie," O'Callaghan said.
Titmus and O'Callaghan's race time and rivalry
At the end of the day, Titmus and O'Callaghan might both be representing Australia in the green and gold, but they are still competitors in the same sport.
Both swimmers are also coached by the same man – Dean Boxall.
Their rivalry in the 200m freestyle event in particular goes way back before O'Callaghan's recent win in Paris.
MEDAL TALLY: Olympic medal table and full results from every event
The pair are rivals in the pool. Clive Rose via Getty Images
Titmus actually beat her training partner in the 200m at the Olympic trials just last month, with O'Callaghan coming in behind in second place.
The win also earned Titmus the new world record with a race time of 1:52.23, dethroning O'Callaghan who held the previous title from the World Aquatics Championships.
However, O'Callaghan set a new Olympic record with her latest win in Paris which saw her complete the race in an incredible 1:53.27.
Titmus and O'Callaghan's friendship
The pair after the Australian Swimming Trials at Brisbane Aquatic Centre last month. Getty
OLYMPIC HUB: You can find all the latest Paris 2024 stories from Wide World Of Sport here
O'Callaghan's sweet gesture on the Paris podium showed the close friendship behind the famous rivarly.
Titmus had nothing but love for her friend's victory, taking to Instagram to share some heartwarming pics of the pair holding hands and embracing after the 200m final.
"Tonight was @mollieocal's moment!" she captioned the post.
"I couldn't have been happier to stand along side my team mate and sing the national anthem," she continued. "Feeling very proud to be an Australian right now 💛💚 YTG!!"
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