Titmus sparks golden start for Australia at Paris Olympics

PARIS: Ariarne Titmus ignited Australia’s quest for swimming glory with a record-breaking victory on the opening night of the Paris Olympic swimming meet at the La Defense Arena on Saturday. In a thrilling race, Titmus successfully defended her 400 meters freestyle title, outpacing Canada’s 17-year-old sensation Summer McIntosh and American legend Katie Ledecky.

Ledecky, the 2016 gold medalist in Rio and silver medalist in Tokyo 2021, settled for bronze in a showdown that had drawn comparisons to the legendary “Race of the Century” in the men’s 200 meters freestyle at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Despite the high expectations, the electrifying atmosphere of a packed arena, in stark contrast to the pandemic-affected previous Games, ensured a memorable night.

The Dolphins continued their dominance, clinching another gold in the 4×100 meters freestyle relay and securing two silvers from the four finals. Australia’s reputation as a swimming powerhouse remains undiminished, with their performance underscoring their continued excellence in the pool.