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Ariane Titmus praised as class act for Katie Ledecky emerges after race at Olympics

The Aussie golden girl was praised for her sportsmanship at the Olympics.

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·5-min read

Ariarne Titmus has been praised for her classy show of sportsmanship with friend and rival Katie Ledecky after the Aussie was left in tears after nearly defeating the American at the Olympics. Ledecky made history at the Olympics having won the 800m freestyle event for the fourth time after holding off a fierce competitor in Titmus.

Ledecky has dominated the 800m race for 12 years with no peers close to the great American in the endurance race. However, Titmus left fans stunned having stayed side-by-side with Ledecky up until the 700m mark.

Ariarne Titmus in the 800m race and Titmus celebrates.
Ariarne Titmus (pictured) has been praised for her classy act of sportsmanship towards friend and rival Katie Ledecky after she came second in the 800m freestyle at the Olympics. (Getty Images)

The Aussie would have been hoping to use her speed across 100m to potentially chase down Ledecky, but it wasn't to be as the American pulled ahead to break the Olympic record to win the race. Titmus swam her best time ever in the 800m. But it wasn't enough in the end as she came away with a silver medal for Australia.

And only seconds after the race, Titmus and Ledecky embraced at the lane rope with a huge smile. Then the pair both raised each others hand in the air to a huge roar from the crowd. The moment is a sign of their friendship out of the swimming pool with the duo both sharing a lovely relationship.

After the 400m final, which Titmus won, the Aussie praised Ledecky for her class beyond the pool. “I’m just happy to get the result for myself and I feel so honoured to be a part of the race and be alongside legends like Katie,” Titmus said. “I look up to her so much as an athlete and it’s certainly not a rivalry beyond the races. I really respect her as a person.”

Katie Ledecky and Ariarne Titmus celebrate at the Olympics.
Katie Ledecky (pictured left) and Ariarne Titmus (pictured right) celebrate after winning gold and silver respectively.

Ledecky echoed Titmus' comments and claimed the duo have a great relationship outside of the pool. “It’s a friendship, if anything,” Ledecky said.

“We have a lot of respect for each other and we love competing against each other. It brings the best out of each of us and I’m sure, you know, pushes each of us in training knowing that we have each other to race at these kinds of meets.”

And the moment after the race was a huge show of respect from the duo at the Olympics. Fans were full of praise for both competitors showing class in victory and defeat at the Paris Games.

After the race, Titmus spoke to Channel Nine and admitted she was thrilled with her time to win silver. “I’m absolutely buggered,” Titmus said. “I’m so proud of my effort tonight. It’s my first PB of the week, I haven’t had a PB in the 800m since the last Olympics, so I’m stoked with that. I’m proud of the way I put myself out there and took it to Katie.

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"She is just a champ and I have the most respect for her out of any athlete I’ve ever competed against. I know how hard it is to go back-to-back, and to be on top of the world in the same event for over 12 years is just remarkable. I feel so honoured to be a part of her story and hopefully it made her a better athlete as well. I knew at the end of eight days it would be tough, but I wanted to leave it all out there and go home from these Games with no regrets."

Although the fan favourite broke down in tears after giving it her all at the Paris Games and now admitting she can relax after a huge effort. "This is the first time I’ve really let my emotions out,” Titmus added. "I felt so much pressure coming into these Games to hit my expectations, but I know a lot of people at home were willing and wanting me to win at these Games and defend my titles. I can finally relax. It’s been a big week.”