- Ariarne Titmus has been appointed Melbourne Cup ambassador
- The swimmer won her third and fourth gold medal in Paris
- Titmus grew up riding horses on his family’s property.
Ariarne Titmus has come under fire from the organization urging Australians not to attend the Melbourne Cup after the Olympic swimming queen expressed her enthusiasm for the racing carnival.
Fresh from her exploits in Paris, the four-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder was named Melbourne Cup ambassador in September.
The 24-year-old grew up riding horses on her family’s property in Tasmania and would later compete in dressage and show jumping competitions before pursuing a career in swimming.
‘Riding a horse was my first love. “I grew up around horses and competed in dressage and show jumping competitions from the age of seven before swimming took center stage,” she told Victorian racing club after the announcement.
Titmus, who became the first Olympian to win back-to-back gold medals in the same event, the 400m freestyle, in Paris, added that she was excited to return to Flemington for this week’s races.
“There’s no place like Flemington on the first Tuesday in November and I can’t wait to get back to Melbourne for Cup Week,” he said.
“There is no event like this that brings together exceptional sport, fashion and entertainment and I am looking forward to swapping my swim shorts for racing gear and enjoying the week with friends.”
His comments were not well received by the Coalition to Protect Racehorses (CPR), an organization committed to campaigning against the racing industry.
This year’s races will mark the 15th year the animal welfare group will host its Nup to the Cup campaign, a movement urging Australians to forgo the annual festival and instead attend events that raise funds for organizations of animal welfare.
Ariarne Titmus (left) has received criticism for her role as a Melbourne Cup ambassador.
The Coalition to Protect Racehorses, animal welfare activists, called on the Olympic swimmer to “reconsider her role as an ambassador.”
Reacting to the news that Titmus would be attending the event as an ambassador, CPR commented on its Facebook page: “If you really love horses, we ask that you reconsider your role as an ambassador for the Cup.”
“Please open your eyes to what really goes on behind the scenes of the racing industry; we assure you that the suffering and exploitation of racehorses is nothing you want to be associated with #NuptotheCup #horseracingkills.”
It comes as Nup Cup campaign director Elio Celotto has also spoken of his disappointment at Titmus’ appointment.
‘We are very disappointed that Ariarne Titmus is their ambassador, but I guess they had to find someone. “We are almost at the point where there is no excuse for not knowing (about the campaign against the Cup),’ Celotto said. Yahoo Sports.
“I am absolutely one hundred percent sure that when Ariarne Titmus and others have signed their contracts, they will be fully aware of the negative reactions they may suffer. The only thing that can be hoped is that she can understand what happens in horse racing and will not support it in the future.’
Nup to the Cup is asking people not to attend the Melbourne Cup festival and instead “remember and respect the important role animals play in our world”.
They are urging the public to organize their own Nup to the Cup event or attend another event and raise money for organizations working to safeguard animal welfare.
Celotto also spoke on Channel 9’s David Campbell and appeared to show some sympathy towards the broadcaster who is a supporter of Nup to the Cup but will likely be working the event.
Titmus grew up riding horses on her family’s property in Tasmania and was photographed in Flemington earlier this week.
She captured her third and fourth gold medals at the Paris Olympics earlier this summer.
“I doubt he will ever support racing and promote it of his own free will,” he added.
“But obviously you have a contract and you have to abide by the terms of the contract. We’ve talked to some celebrities over the years who have quietly told us that they support us but can’t say or do anything. We don’t hold any grudges against those people.