Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus says she is mentally stronger three years on from her golden double at the Tokyo Olympics and will defend her 200 and 400 metres freestyle titles at Paris after her best ever preparations.
The blonde Tasmanian will attempt to become the first swimmer to win back-to-back golds in both events and stake her place among swimmingâs all-time greats.
âI definitely think as an athlete, Iâve grown a lot in three years, and as a person, Iâve grown more, and I think mentally, Iâve got so many learnings from the last Olympic Games,â Titmus told reporters from the teamâs training camp in Chartres.
âAs a whole, Iâm in a better position than three years ago, as an older athlete.
âIâm being honest and saying that I think Iâve prepared the best I ever have for a swim meet. So more than anything, Iâm just excited to see what Iâm capable of at the end of the day.
âThatâs why I still swim, because I believe Iâve got more in the tank, and so thatâs my goal at these games, to try and get every skerrick out of myself and see what Iâm capable of.â
On day one of the swimming at La Defense Arena, Titmus will battle Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh and Katie Ledecky for the 400m gold in another hugely anticipated showdown three years on from beating the American great for the title in Tokyo.
Titmus heads into the 200m as favourite after snatching the world record from teammate Mollie OâCallaghan at Olympic trials last month.
The 23-year-old has also entered the 800m freestyle and will hope to foil Ledeckyâs bid for a fourth successive gold in the event, having finished runner-up to her at Tokyo.
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âI think itâs an exciting race for me. I still am not happy with how I swam the 800 this year,â Titmus said.
âI feel like my training hasnât been reflected in the races that Iâve put together in the 800.
âI know that Katie is an unbelievable 800 swimmer, the best ever, and she will certainly be a challenge in that race.
âBut Iâm going to put my best foot forward. Itâs the last event of my programme and I really want to go into these Games and leave nothing in the tank.
âSo Iâm just excited to see what I can do in all my events.â
Source Agencies
