Ariarne Titmus’ build-up to Paris 2024 is going perfectly to plan after the reigning champion went under four minutes for the first time this season and clocked the fastest time this year in her favoured 400m freestyle event at the Australian Open Championships.
At a time when the country’s swimmers are still in heavy training, eight weeks out from Australia’s Olympic trials, Titmus won the national title on the Gold Coast on Friday evening.
Titmus (three minutes, 59.13 seconds) finished ahead of Lani Pallister (4:01.75), who lowered her personal best as she also builds towards Paris.
Anything under four minutes at this time of year is a sign that Titmus is in excellent physical condition and doing everything right in her bid to become the first woman to win back-to-back gold medals in the 400m freestyle since American Martha Norelius in 1928.
“I’m really happy with that,” Titmus said. “I take confidence from it but I’m not going to look into it too much. It doesn’t really matter what people are doing now. A lot can change in a three- or four-month period.”
Titmus regained her 400m freestyle world record at last year’s world championships in a famous win.
Ariarne Titmus and Lani Pallister after their 400m freestyle final at the Australian Open Championships. Credit: Getty
Her time of 3:55.38 was more than three seconds clear of US legend Katie Ledecky.
The biggest threat to Titmus’ bid for another gold medal is likely to be Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh.
Canada’s trials take place next month (May 13-19). McIntosh broke the 400m world record last year before Titmus crushed her younger rival when it mattered most.
Elsewhere, Cam McEvoy won the men’s 50m freestyle in 21.93 – outside his Australian record of 21.06 – while Matt Temple continued his consistent form with an easy victory in the 100m butterfly (50.8).
Cam McEvoy won the 50m freestyle on Friday night. Credit: Getty
“I’m very happy. Can’t complain with that,” Temple said.
Temple’s Olympic preparations were disrupted by the news that his coach Peter Bishop had been stood down after an investigation by the South Australian Sports Institute. No explanation was provided but Bishop is unable to attend the Olympics.
“I found it pretty hard. I’m a big man for routine,” said Temple, who has decided to remain in South Australia. “I think I struggled at the start. It’s just pushing through.”
Temple is best mates with Kyle Chalmers, who has made the move from South Australia to Queensland.
It is already paying off, with Chalmers recording personal bests in the 50m freestyle (21.98) and 50m butterfly (23.1) this week.
“It’s been a pretty stressful period,” Chalmers said. “I’m a very social person, so Adelaide is a very easy and safe place for me. I’ve been happy to have time for myself to watch movies or play PlayStation and, you know, be away from all the noise and distraction.”
Meanwhile, Cody Simpson’s quest to make Australia’s Olympic team in the 100m butterfly is looking more difficult by the day after a fourth-place finish in a time of 52.32.
He needs to go 51.17, or faster, at Australia’s trials and also finish in the top two. Simpson’s personal best is 51.67.
Chalmers said he would consider swimming the 100m butterfly at trials in the hope of being selected as a heat swimmer for a mixed medley relay in Paris.
Chalmers competes in the 100m freestyle race on Saturday.
“I’ve never been able to crack under 48 [seconds] in this pool,” Chalmers said. “So that would be really nice to just be a good stepping stone for the season ahead.”
Watch the Australian Open Swimming Championships live and free on 9Now.
