Ariarne Titmus to step away from swimming in shock announcement after Olympics campaign
The golden girl of Australian swimming is physically and emotionally drained after her Paris heroics.
Ariarne Titmus has revealed she's taking an 'extended break' from swimming and might not get back in the pool for at least 12 months. The golden girl of Australian swimming, Titmus added four medals to her impressive collection at the Paris Olympics - two gold and two silver.
But she admitted after her final event that she was physically and emotionally drained, after winning the 'race of the century' against Katie Ledecky in the 400m freestyle in Paris. Speaking ahead of her departure to Australia, the 23-year-old revealed on Tuesday that she's not planning to get back into swimming for a long time to come.
“I’m definitely having a very extended break,” she said. “I haven’t planned when I’m going back to swimming. I want to go back when I feel ready to go back. Could be up to 12 months.”
The comments come as somewhat of a surprise considering the work and grind for the next Olympics in 2028 arguably starts in the next few months. Titmus' parents admitted as much in an interview with Channel 9 after her campaign in the pool came to an end.
“I just want to make sure I’m ready to go in LA. I don’t want to come back too early and, you know, lose that fire, I guess,” she said. “I think four years is a long time, so I want to prepare myself the best for those Olympic Games. For me, that’s the priority, not world championships in the years prior. So I just want to really have time to let the hunger build back up and enjoy myself for a little while.”
Ariarne Titmus' telling comments after huge Olympics relief
The comments suggest Titmus might not make herself available for the next world championships, which will take place in August 2025. If she doesn't get back into the pool for the next 12 months, she'll have little chance of being ready for that meet.
The pressure that Titmus felt in Paris was so immense that her overwhelming reaction to winning two gold medals was mainly relief rather than happiness. She even admitted she was glad her Olympics was over.
"I knew what to expect physically coming into this, from learning from the last Olympics," Titmus said. "But emotionally this week, I had so much expectation on me the past few years to go back-to-back and continue my winning streak internationally the 400 especially.
"And you kind of put that in a little box and put it in the corner and don't really recognise it. And I am so good at putting that pressure in a little pile and using it to my advantage to race. But then when it's off your back, somehow it creeps out and just explodes. And I'm feeling the most unbelievable sense of relief now that I'm done."
Titmus' four medals in Paris came after she won two gold, one silver and a bronze in Tokyo three years ago. In Paris, the 23-year-old successfully defended her 400m freestyle crown and was the anchor in Australia's triumphant women's 4x200m relay.
Her silver in the 800m freestyle behind Ledecky followed silver in the 200m freestyle, won by compatriot and club teammate Mollie O'Callaghan. "I'm so proud of my efforts this week," she said.
"Two gold, two silver, I couldn't defend my 200 but certainly happy that it was my training partner that won it and to be second to her is great. I'm just so happy with my week. But I can't wait for a big rest."
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Aussie Olympians treated to boat party by Gina Rinehart
Titmus was among a number of Aussie athletes who let their hair down on a lavish boat party hosted by billionaire benefactor Gina Rinehart on Monday night. Rinehart is a sponsor of the Australian swimming team and pays athletes $20,000 for a gold medal.
"It was just the perfect night we needed," Titmus told Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie, describing the celebration as "unbelievable". "We had Mateo Bocelli perform for us, which is Andrea Bocelli's son. So as we we're cruising past the Eiffel Tower, and it was all sparkling, he's singing [the] most amazing opera songs ... it was actually really emotional, to be honest."
Some of the swimmers - including the likes of Lani Pallister and Mollie O’Callaghan - were spotted wearing the gold Rossi boots gifted to them by mining magnate Rinehart. “The best way to celebrate the week with the best people,’’ Elijah Winnington posted on social media.
