NANTERRE, France
- Ariarne Titmus won the gold medal in the Women's 400m Freestyle at the Paris Olympics, clocking in at 3:57.49.
- She defeated Summer McIntosh for the silver and Katie Ledecky, who took bronze.
- This victory marks Titmus's second consecutive Olympic gold in this event, solidifying her position in the swimming world.
— Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus clinched her second consecutive gold medal in the women’s 400-meter freestyle at the Paris Olympics, marking the first women’s swimming medal of the Games. The 23-year-old's victory adds to her impressive tally, now totaling three Olympic golds and six medals overall. Titmus expressed relief and happiness after her win, which came despite a minor mishap at the start when she accidentally entered the wrong lane. She is set to compete in additional events, including the 200 and 800-meter freestyles and the 4×200 free relay. Summer McIntosh, the 17-year-old Canadian swimmer, earned a silver medal, marking her first Olympic medal and signaling a promising future in the sport. Meanwhile, American star Katie Ledecky secured a bronze, bringing her Olympic medal count to 11. Ledecky, who had previously expressed confidence in her chances for the 400 free, acknowledged the competitive field and expressed gratitude for her medal, despite feeling she could have performed better. Titmus and Ledecky share a respectful camaraderie, with Titmus looking up to Ledecky as a role model. Ledecky humorously noted her struggles with technology, reflecting on the lighter side of their relationship. As Ledecky prepares for her upcoming events, including the 800 and 1500-meter freestyles, she emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and supporting her teammates during the competition. The excitement surrounding the swimming events continues to build as these elite athletes showcase their talents at the Paris Olympics.