There have been emotional scenes in the Paris pool with Australian swimming legend Ariarne Titmus coming a narrow second in the 800m freestyle to her great American rival Katie Ledecky.
It was a brave swim from an exhausted Titmus, who closed the gap on the US champ in the final lap, but just couldn’t muster the energy to overtake her.
American Paige Madden finished third, but it was all bout the swimming giants Ledecky and Titmus, who raised each other’s hand after the epic race.
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Titmus’ time of 8:12.29 was a new Oceanian record and a PB, while Ledecky made history with her fourth straight gold medal in this event.
After the race — her final one of this Olympics — Titmus was suddenly emotional, and choked back tears.
“This is the first time I’ve really let my emotions out,” she said.
“I felt so much pressure coming into these Games, just 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,” she said.
“To do it one day one makes me so proud and I can finally relax. It’s been a big week.
“We really feel it here (the support), it’s quite isolating. I’m looking forward to letting my hair down.
“I knew that 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, I don’t think I’d be able to sleep at night if I second-guessed my approach to the race.
“I left it all out there and I am really proud of my efforts.”
Titmus’ Paris Games finished with two gold medals and two silvers.
“This is the toughest week of racing you can possibly do,” she said.
“I gave it everything. I said to myself I wouldn’t sleep at night if I felt like I left anything out there.
“I’m so proud of my efforts. I took it to her, I challenged her and I made it a great race and I gave it everything.”
Titmus won gold in the 400m freestyle and was part of Australia’s triumphant 4x200m freestyle relay team, and finished second behind teammate Mollie O’Callaghan in the 200m freestyle.
– With AAP