Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus has declared herself mentally stronger and better prepared than ever for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Three years after her golden double at the Tokyo Olympics, Titmus is aiming to become the first swimmer to win back-to-back golds in both the 200 and 400-meter freestyle events.
She believes she has grown significantly as an athlete and person since Tokyo, with valuable lessons learned from that experience. Titmus highlighted her mental growth and strong preparation for the Games. “I definitely think as an athlete, I’ve grown a lot in three years, and as a person, I’ve grown more, and I think mentally, I’ve got so many learnings from the last Olympic Games,” she said during the team’s training camp in Chartres. “As a whole, I’m in a better position than three years ago, as an older athlete.” She added, “I’m being honest and saying that I think I’ve prepared the best I ever have for a swim meet. So more than anything, I’m just excited to see what I’m capable of at the end of the day. “That’s why I still swim, because I believe I’ve got more in the tank, and so that’s my goal at these games, to try and get every skerrick out of myself and see what I’m capable of.”
The 400m freestyle event promises an exciting showdown on day one of the swimming competition at La Defense Arena. Titmus will face stiff competition from Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh and American legend Katie Ledecky, who she famously defeated for the title in Tokyo.
Titmus is also considered the favorite in the 200m freestyle after breaking the world record at the Olympic trials last month. She has entered the 800m freestyle as well, hoping to foil Ledecky’s bid for a fourth consecutive gold in the event.
Despite finishing second to Ledecky in Tokyo, Titmus is determined to put up a strong fight in the 800m. “I think it’s an exciting race for me. I still am not happy with how I swam the 800 this year,” Titmus said. “I feel like my training hasn’t been reflected in the races that I’ve put together in the 800. “I know that Katie is an unbelievable 800 swimmer, the best ever, and she will certainly be a challenge in that race. “But I’m going to put my best foot forward. It’s the last event of my programme and I really want to go into these Games and leave nothing in the tank. “So I’m just excited to see what I can do in all my events.”
