Olympics Mini Feature: Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O’Callaghan a Dangerous Duo for Australia
Ariarne Titmus, 23, outdueled Katie Ledecky for Olympic gold in the 400 free three years ago in Tokyo before overtaking Siobhan Haughey to win the 200 free. In the last year, Titmus has broken world records in both events: In the 400, she posted 3:55.38 at Worlds to become the first woman ever under 3:56, winning the race by more than three seconds. Titmus just missed the 400 mark at Australia’s Olympic Trials this year, but in the 200, she clocked 1:52.23 to win an epic showdown and break the world record by more than a half-second.
Heading into the Olympics, Titmus will try to repeat as Olympic champ in both events. The only Australian woman ever to do so was Dawn Fraser, who won three consecutive 100 freestyle golds in 1956, 1960 and 1964. Titmus will have a real chance to etch her name in Aussie Olympic lore. Titmus is also a strong medal contender in the 800 free, a race where she ranks No. 3 all-time.
That 200 free Trials duel was with Mollie O’Callaghan who came in at 1:52.48 to beat her own previous world mark, which was set when O’Callaghan came from behind to upset Titmus at last year’s Worlds. O’Callaghan is also the two-time world champion in the 100 free, with her best time of 52.08 ranking seventh all-time. O’Callaghan was a prelims relay swimmer at the last Olympics, winning two gold medals and one bronze, but now the 20-year-old is poised for a central role in Paris.
Thanks largely to Titmus and O’Callaghan, Australia is heavily favored in both freestyle relays at the Games. The women’s 800 free relay beat the field by nearly four seconds at last year’s World Championships and could win by even more this time with 1:55-capable swimmers Lani Pallister, Brianna Throssell and Shayna Jack all available. The 400 free relay will chase its fourth consecutive gold with Jack, Harris and veteran Emma McKeon all set to join O’Callaghan.
Certainly are ladies of the pool are the powerhouse of Australia’s Olympic campaign in general.
These two women pivotal to swimming success. Hopefully they both win all their respective races ( yeah an unlikely dual Gold and WR in the 200m Freestyle!). Both Freestyle Relays too. Although probably only the 4×200m in a WR (about 10m ahead of Silver!).