Paris Olympics: Head-To-Head For Olympic Gold And Then Ariarne Titmus Delivers Heart Warming Tribute To Katie Ledecky
Australia’s four-time Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus has delivered a heart-warming tribute to her major opponent Katie Ledecky after taking on the US all-time great head-on, winding up her Paris campaign in style.
After one of the great races, Ledecky swimming into history winning a classic 800m freestyle final in 8:11.04, her ninth Olympic gold and a fourth straight 800m title – the first woman to achieve such a feat, Titmus again pushing the US super star and her greatest rival every stroke of the way, swimming faster than she’s ever swum.
Silver again for Titmus, after the pair went 1-2 in Tokyo and her eighth Olympic medal, in a personal best and Australian and Oceania record time of 8:12.29 – making her the third fastest in history behind Titmus and Canada’s triple Paris golden girl Summer McIntosh.
SILVER LINING: Ariarne Titmus of Australia shows the silver medal after competing in the swimming 800m Freestyle Women Final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at La Defense Arena in Paris.( Photo Courtesy DeepBlueMedia.
A time faster than Ledecky’s winning time from Tokyo – bringing out the best in both girls.
US emerging star Paige Madden also clocking a massive pb, storming home in 8:13.00 for bronze.
Titmus, the face of Australia’s overall Olympic Team campaign, revealing the pressure she was under to defend her titles – and racing Ledecky in the 400 and 800m.
Also knowing she had to take it to Ledecky, making her earn her slice of history “so she could sleep at night.” speaking glowingly of the woman who has become swimming’s GOAT – a respectful rivalry that began back in 2017.
A rivalry that again unfolded over 16 enthralling laps in the Paris La Defense Arena – two greats going at it – leaving it all out there.
“That was my first pb of the week; I have not done a pb in the 800 since the last Olympics (8:13.83),” Titmus told Australia in a live heart-felt broadcast interview with Channel 9s poolside commentator, Paralympic star Ellie Cole – herself a six-time Paralympic gold medallist.
“I’m stoked with that and proud of the way I put myself out there and took it to Katie. She’s just a champ. I have the most respect for her of any athlete I’ve ever competed against.
“I know how hard it is to go back-to-back and (for her) to be on top of the world in the same event for over 12 years is just remarkable and I feel so honored to be part of her story and hopefully it’s made me a better athlete as well…
“Katie has this incredible ability to sustain her race and the only way I could challenge her is to take it out with her, put my body on the line, try and hang on.
“I knew at the end of eight days it would be tough, but I wanted to leave it all out there, and go home from these Games with no regrets and I know I would not have been able to sleep at night if I second guessed my approach to the race…
“I left it all out there and really proud of my efforts.”
Ledecky’s feat only ever achieved before by the legendary Michael Phelps in the 200IM in Athens, Beijing, London.
Titmus and Ledecky first meeting in the World Championships in Budapest in 2017 and Ledecky was already a five-time Olympic champion from London and Rio and by the end of those World’s had become a 14-time world champion.
TIME TO LET HER HAIR DOWN: Ariarne Titmus of Australia celebrates after winning the silver medal in the swimming 800m Freestyle Women Final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at La Defense Arena in Paris (France), August 03, 2024.
Titmus was just 16 – Ledecky went on to win five gold medals at that meet, including the 800m in 8:12.68 – Titmus making her World Championship debut, finishing 14th in 8:37.10.
It was the start of an extraordinary journey for Titmus – Ledecky not only becoming the absolute benchmark, but the pair would take their rivalry to the next level – Titmus beating Ledecky for the first time over 400m at the 2019 World’s in Gwangju – and she herself has remained unbeaten over two Olympic campaigns.
Titmus proud of her journey, ready to let her hair down.
“This is the first time I’ve let my emotions out,” said Titmus, a leader in Australia’s latest swimming resurgence.
“I felt so much pressure coming into these Games. I hit my expectations. I know a lot of people at home were willing and wanting me to win at these Games and to defend my titles.
“And to do it on day one makes me so proud and now I can finally relax; it’s been a big week. I’m excited to let my hair down…”.
Los Angeles is only four years away…Ledecky, who will; be 31, setting her sights on a fifth Games at home and Titmus her third at 27…can’t wait.
