This is the world of Ariarne Titmus. Everyone, including their biggest rivals, lives in it.
The Australian cemented his place as one of Australia's most famous swimmers, defending his 400m freestyle crown in what has been dubbed the “race of the century”.
The Tasmanian superstar won her third gold medal when she showed her class with a powerful swim against hot rivals Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh in Sunday morning's (AEST) final at the Paris Arena. the Defense Arena.
It was supposed to be a battle between three titans at the peak of their powers, but Titmus' impressive swim shows that there is nothing more than a queen of the 400m freestyle.
Titmus was almost a full second behind silver medalist McIntosh while Ledecky never challenged them and finished more than three seconds behind Titmus.
Titmus' time of 3min 57.49s was nowhere near his world record, but it didn't have to be.
“The girls threw everything at me,” Titmus said in the pool after the race. I am very happy to go and defend my name.”
It was the 23-year-old's third Olympic gold medal, after winning the 400m and 200m double in Tokyo.
Her swim on Sunday was the first in 96 years that an Aussie woman defended her 400m freestyle crown in an Olympic pool.
There was a time before the competition
There was an awkward moment before the race when Titmus accidentally came out behind turn 4 and started putting his gear in the box behind the barrier.
The only problem was that Ledecky actually swam the 4th lane as the fastest finisher in the morning heats.
After the last American exited, he politely informed Titmus that he was in his place and the pair smiled quietly as the Aussie moved his jersey to the back of the 5 lane.
Titmus and Ledecky said after the race there were no mind games played with the mix, and the two main rivals were all classes, hugging each other after the race.
They were also seen chatting happily in the military meeting room before the clash.
The lack of emotion on Titmus' face showed his dominance and the ease with which he made it look easy.
“Oh, my legs are a little tired, but I'm relieved more than anything,” he said after the race.
“I probably feel the expectation and the pressure for this race more than anything in my life to be honest and I'm very good at dealing with the pressure but I definitely feel it.
“I'm delighted to have the result for myself and feel very lucky to be part of the race and with legends like Katie.”
Of course, Titmus' performance sent ripples around the world.
Sports Illustrated writer Pat Foord posted on Twitter: “Ariarne Titmus is on a different level than anyone else in the 400 free. Big time race.”
Australian sports broadcaster Quentin Hull posted: “In the end, the competition didn't live up to the hype as Ariane Titmus completely dominated. A serious performance from an incredible champion”.
Titmus, who dethroned Ledecky in Tokyo, arrives in France in hot form after breaking the 200m world record and swimming the second-fastest 400m at the Australian trials.
But Ledecky can't be ruled out and McIntosh could always be a threat after taking on Titmus' feat last year before the Australian took over.
However, it was all Titmus in Paris, who was close to the world record at the halfway point and safely home with McIntosh leading Ledecky in the lap. finally to win his first Olympic medal.
Titmus will also swim the 200m and 800m in Paris.
Ledecky withdrew from the shorter distances, but did not defend her 800m and 1500m titles.
McIntosh also skips the 200m free, but the 200m, 400m medley and 200m butterfly are her priorities.
— with AFP
