Ariarne Titmus' brutal unseen moment at Olympics as 'uncomfortable' podium detail called out
Many were quick to notice the awkward scenes between Titmus and teammate Mollie O'Callaghan.
Ariarne Titmus reportedly broke down in tears and only answered one question during a media scrum following the 200m freestyle final at the Olympics on Monday night. Viewers were moved when Mollie O'Callaghan invited Titmus up onto the top step of the podium after beating her compatriot and teammate in the final in Paris on Monday night.
Rather than let Titmus stand below her in the silver medal spot, O'Callaghan brought her stablemate up into the gold medal spot and they stood there together. But many noted how 'uncomfortable' Titmus looked, although she attempted to mask it in front of a global audience.
Titmus came into the race as defending champion after winning gold in the event in Tokyo in 2021. And although O'Callaghan was arguably the favourite in Monday night's final, you could still tell Titmus was disappointed not to win.
She put on a brave face in front of the cameras and produced a classy act of sportsmanship for O'Callaghan, with whom she trains under leading coach Dean Boxall. Titmus waited for O'Callaghan on the pool deck and embraced her in a massive hug, before raising her compatriot's hand in triumph.
Ariarne Titmus broke down in tears after the race
But when she got away from the cameras her emotions reportedly came flooding out. Titmus was said to be in tears in the backstage area after the race, and could only manage to answer one question from reporters.
She put on a brave face not long after when she spoke to Channel 9, but couldn't hold back the tears. The Queensland-based swimmer said they were happy tears and she was rapt to walk away with silver - adding it to the gold she won in the 400m freestyle two nights earlier.
“I don’t know. It’s really hard to hold your emotions in these situations," she said. “I know what it’s like to be Olympic champion. I’m honestly happy for her (O'Callaghan). And I’m really happy to be on the podium.
“I’m Olympic champion forever in the 200m and the 400m and I gave it everything. I don’t actually know why I’m crying. I’m really happy with silver. It’s hard to hold it in, and so it’s just coming out now.”
Titmus wouldn't have been lying, but there's no doubt a part of her was gutted not to get the gold. “It’d be a bitter-sweet moment for Ariarne. We know that she’s a fierce competitor and no fierce competitor likes coming second,” Aussie Olympian James Magnussen said on the 'Matty & The Missile' podcast.
“It was a beautiful moment when Ariarne and Mollie stood on the gold medal dais together singing the national anthem. But no doubt when Ariarne lies down tonight and looks at the ceiling she’ll be thinking ‘what if’."
Was Ariarne Titmus uncomfortable on podium with Mollie O'Callaghan?
Others noted that Titmus didn't look particularly comfortable standing next to O'Callaghan in the gold medal spot. “It did seem watching that in the cold light of day that was tough for Ariarne," Tara Rushton said on Stan Sport. "She almost had to suck up the emotion in that moment.”
Grant Hackett added: “It’s tough, you’re standing beside the winner who you wanted to beat. Let’s remember just a few weeks ago Ariarne did break the world record in this race and she was over a second off, that so she’s probably standing there reflecting on her performance thinking ‘If I could do what I did six weeks ago or even half a second behind that I’d be standing here as the Olympic champion in the women’s 200m freestyle’.”
Karl Stefanovic said on Channel 9: "I think Arnie was a little bit uncomfortable. It’s so awkward, right. When your main competitor and training partner and you are going head-to-head for a gold medal at the Olympics. It’s crazy. But it’s lovely to see those images (on the podium).”
It also sparked an awkward situation for Boxall, who would have been jubilant for O'Callaghan without wanting to upset Titmus. "Coach Dean, he's almost got to find a way to celebrate quietly when he's got both his charges in this 200m freestyle," Rooney said. "He can't seem too excited for Mollie, he can't seem too upset for Arnie."
