Australia’s Titmus wins 400m freestyle Olympic gold

Steve Larkin | July 28, 2024

Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus has won the gold medal in the women’s 400m freestyle at the Paris Olympics.

Titmus defended her Olympic crown in the event with victory in Saturday night’s final at the Paris La Defense Arena.

Titmus captured Australia’s second gold medal of the Games, following cyclist Grace Brown’s victory in the women’s time trial earlier Saturday.

Dubbed the race of the century, Titmus prevailed over American great Katie Ledecky, a seven-time Olympic gold medallist, and Canadian teen Summer McIntosh.

The trio have all held the world record over the distance in the past three years.

In the much-hyped final, the Tasmanian-born Titmus clocked three minutes 57.49 seconds to win from McIntosh (3:58.37) and Ledecky (4:00.86).

Australia’s Jamie Perkins finished last.
Titmus joins the legendary Dawn Fraser as the only Australian women to successfully defend an Olympic title. Fraser won 100m freestyle gold at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympics.  

Titmus, the world record holder in both the 200m and 400m freestyle, is also the reigning Olympic 200m freestyle champion – heats and semi-finals of that event will be contested on Sunday with the final on Monday.

Titmus’ triumph followed fellow Australian Elijah Winnington claiming the silver medal in the men’s 400m freestyle, though teammate Sam Short finished fourth.