NANTERRE, France

— 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 of the race 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 medal, her 11th Olympic medal, despite not achieving her personal best. Ledecky, who has her sights set on gold in the upcoming 800- and 1500-meter freestyles, expressed gratitude for her medal and acknowledged the competitive field. Titmus and Ledecky share a mutual respect, with Titmus looking up to Ledecky as a role model. Ledecky, reflecting on her experience, noted the emotional weight of the competition and the importance of her training partners. As she prepares for her next events, Ledecky emphasized the need to maintain focus and positivity throughout the remainder of the Olympic schedule.