Olympic gold medallist Mollie O’Callaghan has paid the ultimate tribute to Ariarne Titmus by inviting her to stand on the top step of the podium in Paris.
O’Callaghan upstaged her legendary teammate to win the 200m freestyle final on Monday night (Tuesday morning AEST).
But rather than soak up the deserved adulation after receiving her first individual gold medal, O’Callaghan sought out the silver medallist Titmus to stand arm-in-arm for the Australian national anthem.
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“A touch of class as Mollie shares the gold medal position on the dais with Ariarne. They are both great champions,” commentator Mat Thompson said on Nine.
Host Eddie McGuire added: “Unbelievable to share the victory dais, to do that was just something special. Wonderful human beings.”
Olympic champion Mack Horton said on Sunrise: “It was beautiful, it’s the same national anthem so it’s beautiful — they can stand there together and enjoy it. Really special moment for Australia.”
O’Callaghan and Titmus were both in tears — “happy tears, you live for these moments,” Titmus said — during a shared interview after the triumphant medal ceremony.
“I know what it’s like to be Olympic champion and I’m happy that Mol gets to feel that now. I felt up there like I’d won as well. It’s really special to do this with a teammate,” the silver medallist told Nine.
Titmus added later on Instagram: “Tonight was Mollie’s moment! I couldn’t have been happier to stand along side my teammate and sing the national anthem. Feeling very proud to be an Australian right now.”
O’Callaghan won two relay gold medals as a heat swimmer at Tokyo three years ago but has come of age in Paris.
The 20-year-old helped Australia win the 4x100m freestyle relay final and has now toppled Titmus on the biggest stage.
“I’ll let it sink in but seeing my mum and dad that kind of hit me a little bit. I kind of swim for them,” O’Callaghan said, her emotions getting the better of her.
“They’ve put a lot of time and dedication into my swimming, I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Titmus said she was trying to keep her emotions together.
“But it’s really hard. We work really hard to experience this. It all brings everything to the surface, I’m just over the moon,” she said.
O’Callaghan earlier said it was “such an honour” to battle her training partner.
“She’s an absolute gun,” O’Callaghan told Nine.
“She races like an absolute beast and it’s an honour to train alongside her and have such a great team around us.
“That was an amazing race … I did it for the country, I didn’t do it for myself.”