Gold for Australia! Ariarne Titmus defends 400m crown in Paris with sizzling swim
Updated . First published at
Ariarne Titmus has become the first Australian woman to defend an individual Olympic crown in more than half a century, dominating a star-studded field to take gold in the women's 400m freestyle.
Titmus was far too good for fierce rival Katie Ledecky, who finished more than three seconds off the pace, with emerging Canadian star Summer McIntosh offering the sternest test.
But the now-two-time 400m champion put in a dominant performance, leading at every single turn to claim Australia's first gold in the pool and second of 2024.
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Ariarne Titmus has defended her Olympic 400m freestyle crown. Getty
McIntosh finished with the silver, less than a second off the gold medal pace, while Ledecky never really threatened and finished in third.
The win makes Titmus the first Australian woman to defend an individual Olympic title since Dawn Fraser in 1964, and only the second in the nation's history.
Speaking after her win, Titmus said she had felt under pressure before the race.
"There was a lot of expectation on me," she said.
"I definitely felt it this week, more than ever. It is nice to have a monkey off my back now."
Titmus became just the second Australian woman to defend an individual Olympic title. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
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While she led from start to finish, Titmus' final time of 3:57.49 was well off her personal best – and world record – mark of 3:55.38, set at last year's World Championships.
"I wanted to come out and have fun," she said.
"It is about getting a hand on the wall first, it is not about swimming as fast as you can.
"I did my best, I will forever be back-to-back Olympian champion, which is really cool."
Fierce rival Katie Ledecky couldn't get close to Titmus until after the race. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
The victory was Australia's first gold and second medal in the pool in Paris, and, following Grace Brown's win in the women's road cycling time trial and victory for the women's 4x10m freestyle relay team, was enough to put the green and gold on top of the medal tally at the end of Day 1.
The celebrations for Titmus' historic win will be subdued though, with the 200m freestyle – and an encounter with training partner and fellow medal favourite Mollie O'Callaghan – looming on day 2 in the pool.
"I'll try to enjoy this as much as I can but also remember that I have to race in the morning," Titmus said.
"It's a tough field. I'll calm down, get some sleep and go again tomorrow."
