Potential Olympians usually seem motivated by the opportunity to compete at an Olympics in their home country, but that doesn’t appear to be the case for Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus.
With Brisbane set to host the 2032 Games, Titmus said she won’t be around swimming long enough to potentially compete there.
Appearing on the Australian podcast “Two Am I,” Titmus said that her plan is to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, but not at an Olympics beyond that.
“I know that this is the tail end of my career,” the 24-year-old Titmus said. “I know that the LA Olympics will be my last.”
Of course, that could change in time as Australia’s third Summer Olympics draws closer and the lure of it becomes more appealing.
As of now, the focus for Titmus is to be in Los Angeles and aim for a third straight gold medal in the 400 freestyle after winning the event at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.
But the way Canadian phenom Summer McIntosh has surged of late, that task appears to be getting more daunting.
McIntosh broke the previous world record in the event held by Titmus, clocking a time of 3:54.18 at the Canadian Swimming Trials this past weekend. McIntosh broke Titmus’ old record by 1.20 seconds.
Titmus also won gold in the 200 freestyle at the Tokyo Games and is the world record holder (long course) in that event.
She was the silver medalist to fellow Australian Mollie O’Callaghan in the 200 freestyle at the Paris Games.
Since leaving Paris, Titmus has taken a sabbatical from swimming, but is expected to ramp up training again soon. Titmus took a similar break from swimming after the Tokyo Games.
It just appears any resumption of training will be all geared toward Los Angeles, not Brisbane in 2032.
“I just don’t want to be an athlete that retires from their sport and is lost and has nothing to do,” she said. “I think that it was so important for me to channel different areas of my life to know that when I do leave the sport behind, I’m going to be alright.”
I wanna see her on Brisbane 2032
Very smart. It’s similar to Lilly King. It may be a home Games but if it’s too late it’s too late. Age 31 in the 200 and 400 is pushing matters.
realizing Titmus and I are the same age is daunting. cool.
Washed?
Nowhere as washed as Brazilian swimmers
making plexiglass walls safe again.
She has been great in swimming commentary/analysis at this trials so is likely to have a media job at Brisbane 2032.
Not surprising. She seems to be having a blast not swimming right now judging by all the opportunities she’s getting and taking advantage of.
She’s also been very forthright about how important having a family is to her and she probably doesn’t want to put that off if she doesn’t have to.
So hard to say what will happen in the next 3 years, much less 7. It would be great if she got to swim an Olympics in Australia, but that’s a long way away. 2028 will be fun to watch.
That last quote sticks out to me, good on her for thinking about her own wellbeing post swimming while arguably still being at her peak