'Champion': Ariarne Titmus' 'beautiful' message to Aussies in lockdown
Ariarne Titmus won her second gold medal in the pool at Tokyo and the classy Australian offered some 'beautiful' words for those in lockdown back at home.
Titmus defeated rival Katie Ledecky to clock an Olympic Record in the women's 200m freestyle to go with her 400m freestyle gold.
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The Australian had to work hard over the final 50m to catch Hong Kong's Siobhan Haughey and power to the golden double.
Titmus was emotional after the race and was in tears as she embraced her coach Dean Boxall.
While the world showered the Australian with praise after two remarkable swims at the Tokyo Olympics, Titmus was quick to turn the spotlight to those struggling back home.
In her interview following the race, Titmus offered some beautiful words for Australians stuck in lockdown around the nation due to Covid-19.
"I mean, back home before we left, Sydney went into lockdown and I know a lot of other places have as well," she said.
"It's really sad, I am just happy the Olympics are here and we can hopefully bring some excitement to the lounge rooms.
"I am so fortunate to be here and to be able to do what I love."
Titmus finished with an inspirational message to the aspiring swimmers and Olympians watching around the nation.
"I'm just from a small town in Tassie and this goes to show that if you believe you can do something you can 100% do it if you work for it," Titmus added.
"I'm just from a small town in Tassie and this goes to show that if you believe you can do something you can 100% do it."
This humble girl from Tassie has captured an entire nation. We love you, Ariarne 💚 💛#Tokyo2020 | #7Olympics | #Swimming pic.twitter.com/ZdswdZPWq5— 7Olympics (@7olympics) July 28, 2021
What a gracious,down to earth, generous Olympic Champion. Beautiful words from Ariarne Titmus for Australians still in lockdown - the way you go about winning does give us all something to feel good about 🙏🏻🙏🏻👏👏#AriarneTitmus #Tokyo2020 #Olympics #7Olympics #SydneyLockdown pic.twitter.com/5cNdZNucBo
— sam mostyn (@sammostyn) July 28, 2021
Just listened to Ariarne Titmus' post race interview after winning her 2nd Gold Medal of the Olmpics - what a classy, humble and down to earth person who has her feet firmly on the ground. A real credit to her family and Australia.
— Tarrawanna Blueys (@Blueysone) July 28, 2021
Great interview with Ariarne Titmus’s grandparents, you can just feel how proud they are of her #Olympics #titmus
— Chris Camilleri (@ChrisCamiller1) July 28, 2021
Titmus wins second gold at Tokyo Olympics with record
Titmus clocked an Olympic Record time of 1:53.50 to finish in front of second place Haughey (1:53.92) and Canadian Penny Oleksiak (1:54.70).
The Aussie said she knew during the race she had Ledecky covered as she surged past her, but was worried about Siobhan who was leading with 50m to go.
“I could see I was trying to move Siobhan down on the third 50. I had no idea where she was on the last lap. I knew I had Katie covered but Siobhan was the person that was there,” Titmus said after the race.
“I felt a little bit ... my legs started to go a bit but I’m happy to get it done.”
The Aussie's remarkable swim was her second gold of the Olympics and Australia's sixth overall.
The nation once again went wild over Titmus' achievement and praised the ever-so humble Aussie.
Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:
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