SportsTop StoryUS

Titmus sets a women’s 200-meter freestyle world record at Australia’s Olympic swimming trials

Ariarne Titmus set a world record in the women’s 200-meter freestyle on Wednesday at Australia’s Olympic swimming trials. Titmus finished in 1 minute, 52.23 seconds in the final, taking almost two-thirds of a second off Mollie O’Callaghan’s world mark of 1:52.85 set at last year’s world championships. O’Callaghan placed second at the Australian titles in 1:52.48. Titmus, the Olympic champion in the 200- and 400-meter freestyle events, now holds the world records in both events.

Quick Read

  • Ariarne Titmus set a world record in the women’s 200-meter freestyle at Australia’s Olympic swimming trials, finishing in 1 minute, 52.23 seconds.
  • She broke Mollie O’Callaghan’s previous world record of 1:52.85 set at last year’s world championships.
  • O’Callaghan placed second at the trials with a time of 1:52.48.
  • Titmus, already the Olympic champion in the 200- and 400-meter freestyle, now holds the world records in both events.
  • Titmus expressed her satisfaction with her performance, particularly enjoying achieving the record in her hometown.
  • Both Titmus and O’Callaghan train under the same coach, Dean Boxall, but follow different training regimes.
  • Titmus noted that setting a world record was not her main focus so close to the Paris Olympics.
  • O’Callaghan admitted to pre-race anxiety but remains optimistic and sees this experience as part of her growth.
  • The top six finishers, including Titmus and O’Callaghan, are likely to form Australia’s 4×200 freestyle relay team for the Paris Olympics.
  • Australia’s Olympic swimming team will be confirmed after the six-day trials at Brisbane’s Chandler Aquatic Center.

The Associated Press has the story:

Titmus sets a women’s 200-meter freestyle world record at Australia’s Olympic swimming trials

Newslooks- BRISBANE, Australia (AP) —

Ariarne Titmus set a world record in the women’s 200-meter freestyle on Wednesday at Australia’s Olympic swimming trials. Titmus finished in 1 minute, 52.23 seconds in the final, taking almost two-thirds of a second off Mollie O’Callaghan’s world mark of 1:52.85 set at last year’s world championships.

O’Callaghan placed second at the Australian titles in 1:52.48.

Titmus, the Olympic champion in the 200- and 400-meter freestyle events, now holds the world records in both events.

“Honestly, the world record is a bonus,” she said. “I’m happy to finally put together a swim that I know I’m capable of and it’s exciting to do it in my home town, in front of a home-town crowd.”

Titmus and O’Callaghan both work with the same coach, Dean Boxall.

FILE – Ariarne Titmus of Australia holds up her gold medal after winning the women’s 200-meter freestyle final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Titmus set a world record in the women’s 200-meter freestyle on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Australia’s Olympic swimming trials. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)

“We really don’t see what each other is doing in training, we are very separate — she trains for the sprint events, I train for middle distance,” Titmus said. “Looking at a world record, I don’t look at who has it. I look at the time.”

Titmus said a record wasn’t “on my radar” so close to the Paris Olympics, which start July 26.

“I just wanted to put together a great swim and I have the chance to do it again in Paris,” she said.

The 20-year-old O’Callaghan said she experienced pre-race anxiety, entering as the record holder.

“I couldn’t really sleep last night,” she said. “I’m still learning. I am only young and I am not as experienced as the other girls, so I will take anything at this point.”

Titmus and O’Callaghan finished more than three seconds ahead of the rest of the field in a strong final. Lani Pallister placed third, Brianna Throssell was fourth and Shayna Jack tied for fifth with Jamie Perkins.

The top six swimmers are likely to form Australia’s 4×200 freestyle relay squad in Paris. The Australians hold the world record in the event.

Australia’s team for the Olympics will be confirmed on the weekend, after the six-day trials at Brisbane’s Chandler Aquatic Center.

For more sports news

Previous Article
Wall Street rallies on hopes for coming cuts to key interest rates
Next Article
Besides Messi, there is Vinicius Júnior, Valverde, Garnacho & Pulisic to watch at Copa America

How useful was this article?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this article.

Latest News

Menu