Paris Olympics Day 2, Semi-Finals, Women’s 200m Freestyle: Insights from Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O
The Olympic 200m freestyle final is shaping up to be a classic Aussie Duel In The Pool – with defending champion Ariarne Titmus in the gold corner and her Queensland club mate Mollie O’Callaghan in the green – the two fastest swimmers in history.
In today’s second semi-final Arnie held on to out-touch Mollie O…Titmus in 1:54.64 (55:55/59.09) and O’Callaghan in 1:54.70 (56.32/58.38) – the final will be Arnie’s arms v Mollie’s legs and they have given some frank insights into how they will prepare for tomorrow’s showdown in what will be a classic re-match after their world beating duel at the Australian trials.
CLAIMING IT: Ariarne Titmus after claiming the world record in the 200m freestyle at the Australian Trials. Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan (Swimming Australia)
Both girls have the same coach: Dean Boxall.
But they train in different programs within the same squad and at the same pool – Ariarne in the distance group, Mollie in the sprint lanes.
World record-holder Titmus, 23, who has already tasted individual gold here in Paris in the successful defence of her 400m freestyle crown – coming down to the 200m as she chases another defence of her other Tokyo title.
Former world record holder O’Callaghan, 20, the 2023 world champion who had that world record taken off her by Titmus at the Australian Trials match race, who has also tasted gold in the 4x100m freestyle -coming up to the 200m.
Australia’s greatest female Paralympic swimmer, Ellie Cole, has transitioned from pool to pool deck and her interviews for Channel 9 with both Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O’Callaghan have provided some honest insights into the two fastest ever female 200m freestylers on the eve of what will be an almighty re-match with the highest stakes on the line – Olympic gold!
GOLDEN GIRLS: Australia 400 freestyle relay – Shayna Jack, Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon, Meg Harris. Courtesy: DeepBlueMedia
Both girls from the same club: St Peters Western Lutheran College on the outskirts of Brisbane speak about nerves, tactics, sleeping and final preparations for what is tipped to be the main event on the Day Three finals program at the Paris La Defense Arena.
Here is what Mollie had to say:
The mindset and planning: This is my first individual race at an Olympics so I’m just stoked to be here and to have such a stacked semi-final with Siobhan Haughey and Arnie as well as countless other women so I just wanted to think about myself and setting it up for tomorrow and touching the wall to get into the top three, but I’m very happy with that time and how I swam…
On the 4x100m freestyle gold: “I am always happy to (swim) a relay. It’s a bit daunting going straight in to a final in the 4×100 free ..I was absolutely nervous on the blocks…but I was glad to start (my Games program) off with the three other girls and with that support…so it was a great way to start the meet…
Managing your nerves: “I was a lot calmer today than I was at (Trials)…. the pressure of having that world record previously really weighed on me in that final….but to walk in here I thought (just think) this is (your) first Olympics. I’ve got no title on my head…I’ve got nothing to lose here…so it’s just all go and no thought.
“Obviously I’ve still got nerves…I’m lying in bed (at the Village) trying to nap and I can’t nap because I’m over thinking so much…but I have an amazing support team behind me…that I text and communicate with….and who are always there for me….a lot of them have travelled over here using their own money….to support us….So we all appreciate that, the ones who have helped me get to this point so far….
Preparations for the final: “I hope I’m all ready for tomorrow, tonight; and I’ll try and get as much sleep as I can….I have to warm down, get back to the Village and nap and sleep as much as I can…but I’m really excited to race Arnie tomorrow night….”
PRINCESS OF PARIS: Ariarne Titmus of Australia celebrates after winning the gold medal in the swimming 400m Freestyle Women Final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at La Defense Arena in Paris (France), July 27, 2024. Photo Courtesy Delly Carr (Swimming Australia).
And it was Arnie with the final word.
The semi-final: “I’m excited (after that) It’s good to have a race. It’s going to be a tough race tomorrow night for sure…. but it will be good to see what I’m capable of…just really keen to get out there and have another crack.
Preparations:” I’m two days in and I shouldn’t be complaining. I. actually had a good rest today…. I slept for two hours which is nice…. I’ll come in for a light swim in the morning…. And I should be ready to go tomorrow night…
Race Tactics: “The 200 is a tricky one when I’m coming down from the 400m with a lot of the girls coming up from the 100…. I’ve got to go out and hold on…it’s tough but I’ve got to play to play to my strengths and it’s been working lately….”
No woman has ever defended the Olympic 200m freestyle gold since it was added to the Olympic program in Mexico City in 1968.
And of those 14 Olympic finals between Mexico and Tokyo only two have been won by Australian swimmers – Shane Gould in Munich in 1972 and Susie O’Neill in Sydney 2000.
Will the winner have to break the world record.? If so .this is how fast they’ll have to swim.
World Record Progression (Last Three):
Ariarne Titmus, AUS – 1:52.23 (JUN 12, ‘24) – Brisbane, AUS
Mollie O’Callaghan, AUS – 1:52.85 (JUL 26, ‘23) – Fukuoka, JPN
Federica Pellegrini, ITA – 1:52.98 (JUL 29, ‘09) – Rome, ITA
I’m barracking for Arnie to go back to back. But obviously happy for MOC to win. Ultimate fantasy would be a tie for Gold! Hopefully they both break the WR again!