Paris Olympics: Siobhan Haughey’s 200m rival Ariarne Titmus says she’s in best shape ever
- The Australian arrives on the back of shattering the 200m world record last month and clocking the second quickest 400m of all time
Swim star Ariarne Titmus said she is in better shape now than when she won Olympic 200m and 400m freestyle gold in Tokyo.
The Australian, who beat Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey into silver at the last Olympics, heads to Paris on the back of shattering the 200m world record last month and clocking the second quickest 400m of all time, behind only her own world best.
It makes her the red-hot favourite in both disciplines, with her task in the 200m made easier by key rivals, American great Katie Ledecky and Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh, opting to focus on other races.
Titmus will also swim the 800m after winning silver at the Covid-delayed Japan Games behind Ledecky.
“I definitely think as an athlete I have grown a lot in three years and as a person I’ve grown more,” the 23-year-old said from the Australian swim team’s training camp outside Paris. “I think, mentally, I’ve got so many learnings from the last Olympic Games.
“I know this is going to be different with big crowds, which I’m very excited for. But I think as an athlete – all together as a whole – I’m in a better position than three years ago. I think I’ve prepared the best I ever have for a swim meet.”
