Ariarne Titmus has revealed a private text message she received just hours before making Olympic history at the Tokyo Games. The Australian swimmer opened up about how she defeated American legend Katie Ledecky in the 400-meter freestyle, marking an iconic moment in Australian sports in 2021.

Titmus’ victory over Ledecky was a significant achievement, being the first time Ledecky had ever lost an individual event in an Olympic final. 

This moment was deeply emotional for Titmus, who was brought to tears upon meeting her coach, Dean Boxall, after the race. Boxall’s exuberant celebration went viral, adding to the drama of the occasion.

The Motivational Message

Titmus shared that on the morning of the race, her coach, Dean Boxall, sent her a text message that had a profound impact. “Dean sent me a text that morning saying: ‘Today is the day. Be that little girl. And race eight laps’. And I think that was like the best thing he could have ever said to me,” Titmus recounted. 

The message helped her focus solely on the task at hand, allowing her to block out the enormity of the Olympics and concentrate on racing eight laps.

The Race Strategy

Titmus also provided insights into the strategy that led to her gold medal. During the race, she fell a total body length behind Ledecky before powering back in the final 100 meters to win by just 0.6 seconds. 

Titmus admitted that not everything went according to plan. “I didn’t want to let her slip far enough to think that I couldn’t get back to her,” she said about the first 200 meters of the race.

She highlighted a critical moment at the 300-meter mark. “I’ll never, ever forget this turn because you can see we turn into each other. I saw her clear as day and was like, ‘Holy s’.”

Emotional Aftermath

The emotion of the victory was overwhelming for Titmus, particularly when she embraced Boxall after the race. “I remember Dean crying, which is rare,” she said. “So when Dean cries, that makes me cry. I remember telling myself to hold it in because if you let it all out, you’re going to ruin your (200m freestyle) heats night.”

Looking Ahead to Paris

Titmus’ rivalry with Ledecky is set to resume at the Paris Olympics, beginning on July 26, 2024. There is much anticipation around who will be the gold medal favorite in the upcoming Games, especially with Canadian sensation Summer McIntosh swimming the fastest time in 2024 during the Canadian trials.

Titmus also broke the world record to beat Ledecky by more than two seconds at the 2023 Aquatics World Championships.

The Pressure of Success

Emerging from the Tokyo Games as a superstar, Titmus walked away with four medals, including gold in the 200m and 400m freestyle. This success brought immense pressure, something Titmus has admitted to struggling with. She described her experience in Tokyo as the most grueling and exhausting week of her life.

“When that race was over, it was like you’re in a pressure cooker, and you release the valve. I collapsed, my mind and body relaxed for the first time in nine days,” she shared on the En Route to Paris podcast.

Overcoming Health Challenges

Titmus’ journey to the Paris Olympics has not been without challenges. In September, she revealed that doctors found two benign tumors on one of her ovaries, which required surgery. 

This setback was frustrating for Titmus, but she quickly returned to top form, swimming the fastest time of the year in the 400m freestyle at the Australian championships.

Final Preparations

With the Australian selection trials for the Paris Olympics starting in Brisbane on June 10, Titmus is in the final stages of her preparations. Despite the ups and downs, Titmus remains focused and determined to perform her best at the upcoming Games.

Ariarne Titmus’ journey from receiving a motivational text message to becoming an Olympic champion is a testament to her determination and resilience. 

As she prepares for the Paris Olympics, her story continues to inspire, and her rivalry with Katie Ledecky remains one of the most exciting in the world of swimming.