Paris Olympics 2024: Ariarne Titmus Defends 400-Metre Freestyle Title Against Katie Ledecky; Lukas Maertens Wins Men’s Gold
Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
4 minutes read. Updated 6:16PM GMT Sun, 28July, 2024
In one of the most eagerly awaited events of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Australia’s Ariarne Titmus, famously dubbed “The Terminator,” has once again triumphed in the 400-metre freestyle, defending her title and extending her remarkable legacy. The highly anticipated race saw Titmus face off against USA’s Katie Ledecky, who had previously won this event at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics.
Titmus Shines Bright: A Stellar Performance
With her iconic Aussie yellow fingernails, Titmus showcased her dominance from the very beginning, leading the race from start to finish. The 23-year-old swimmer clocked a winning time of 3:57.49, comfortably ahead of her closest competitor, Canadian prodigy Summer McIntosh. McIntosh, at just 17, earned the silver with a time of 3:58.37, while Ledecky, who has been a formidable force in swimming, settled for bronze with a time of 4:00.86.
Titmus expressed her emotional journey after the race, stating, “I probably felt the expectation and pressure for this race more than anything in my life, to be honest, and I’m pretty good at handling the pressure but I’ve definitely felt it.” She added, “I’m just happy to get the result for myself and I feel so honored to be a part of the race and be alongside legends like Katie. I look up to her so much as an athlete and there’s certainly not a rivalry beyond the races. I really respect her as a person.”
Ledecky’s Legacy and Future Prospects
Katie Ledecky, despite this setback, continues to hold the record for the most individual gold medals by a female swimmer in Olympic history, with six golds to her name. Although Ledecky did not secure a gold in this event, she remains a strong contender and is expected to compete fiercely in the 800 and 1,500-metre freestyle events.
Maertens Makes History for Germany
In other notable news, Germany’s Lukas Maertens emerged as the first swimming champion of the Paris Olympics, claiming gold in the men’s 400-metre freestyle. This victory marks Maertens’ inaugural Olympic gold, setting a high standard early in the Games.
