- Titmus says she is good friends with rival Katie Ledecky
- He says the fierce rivalry is not what it appears in the media
- She spoke about Gina Rinehart’s luxurious Olympic boat party
Australian pool queen Ariarne Titmus has spoken of her surprising friendship with rival Katie Ledecky after going head-to-head with the greatest American athlete of all time at the Paris Olympics.
Titmus, 23, had a busy swimming schedule in Paris but will return to Australia with her hands full of new medals having won gold in the 400m freestyle and the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay, as well as silver in the 800m and 200m freestyle.
The Australian’s clashes with Ledecky in the pool were some of the highlights of the Paris 2024 swimming events, with the pair battling it out in the 400m and 800m butterfly.
Although it was Titmus who edged out the American to take the 400m title, Ledecky emerged victorious in the 800m race.
Asked about her “rivalry” with Ledecky, the Australian said the two were friends.
“I get on really well with a lot of Americans, I’m really good friends with Katie,” she said on Nova 96.9’s Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie.
‘I would consider her a friend. We chat before heats and finals. I’ve always wished her good luck before she competes… my best friend back home is actually a big fan of Katie’s and before the 800m medals I asked Katie to record a little video to say hello to her.
“It’s not what it seems in the media. We have a lot of respect for each other, and not just Katie and I, but also some other American athletes with whom I have a great friendship and the whole team, there is not that rivalry that everyone talks about.”
Ariarne Titmus (center) says she considers her American rival Katie Ledecky (left) a friend
Ledecky and Titmus are fierce rivals in the water, but not out of it (pictured after the American won the 800m freestyle race in Paris)
On Monday night, Titmus and other Team Australia athletes attended a lavish boat party hosted by billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart on Paris’s famed Seine River.
“Last night was definitely a different atmosphere than the first night when Ms. Reinhardt (Gina) hosted a cruise for all the medalists and it was just the perfect night we needed,” Titmus said.
“It was really amazing. We had Mateo Bocelli, Andrea Bocelli’s son, performing for us.
“It was amazing. As we were passing by the Eiffel Tower, everything was sparkling and he was singing these amazing opera songs… It was really quite emotional, to be honest!”
Titmus and fellow Australian gold medalist Briana Throssell attended Gina Rinehart’s boat party in Paris (pictured)
The Australian swimmer said it was “really emotional” when singer Matteo Bocelli, son of famous tenor Andrea, performed for the athletes.
Titmus’ campaign included eight races in eight days, as well as many hours of training before his events and he hopes to rest when he returns home.
“I’m very proud of my efforts this week. Two gold medals and two silver medals,” she said.
‘I couldn’t defend my 200m, but I’m certainly happy that it was my training partner who won and to be second behind her is great.
“I’m very happy with my weekend. I can’t wait to get some rest.”