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The mind games have officially begun between Ariarne Titmus and Katie Ledecky. Or have they? After both completed their 400 metre freestyle Olympic trials in vastly different styles, the picture in Tokyo is no clearer as the Australian rising star readies herself to face Team USA’s revered champion.
If you simply take times at face value, Titmus will be installed as favourite. In reply to her blistering time of three minutes and 56.90 seconds in Adelaide, the second fastest in history and just outside Ledecky’s world record of 3:56.46s, Ledecky’s return of serve was ... subdued.
Ariarne Titmus claimed first place in the women’s 400m freestyle. Credit:Getty
In Omaha, with no real competition in the other lanes, Ledecky rolled the arms over for a leisurely 4:01.27s to book her spot in the race for Tokyo. By her ridiculous standards, it was the equivalent of knocking around a few balls on the driving range before the tournament.
“Very much a blur,” Ledecky said afterwards as she went out fast through 200 metres but couldn’t sustain her customary relentless splits. “I thought I could go a little faster than that, so I’m a little surprised. But I’ll take it for now.”
What does it all mean? Ledecky has barely acknowledged Titmus in the past, or even this week, and this seemed every bit an alpha move to ensure she keeps her cards closely guarded ahead of the Games. In a perfect world for Ledecky, the young Australian would go in as the favourite, carrying all the pressure and expectation, while Ledecky has the pedigree and results already in her keeping.
Katie Ledecky after competing in the 400m freestyle final at the US Olympic trials.Credit:Getty
But as the Games near, Ledecky’s stature and importance to the US team will see her become one of the faces of the NBC coverage, which will saturate American televisions. NBC had the IOC move the swimming finals so they fit into a prime time slot.
With the mass of the American media on her back, Ledecky will and should start favourite. And given no Australian woman has won an individual Olympic gold since Stephanie Rice in 2008, that narrative shouldn’t change until someone like Titmus can deliver when it counts.
Her animated coach, Dean Boxall, said Titmus’ 400m trials swim shouldn’t be interpreted as a message to Ledecky, the Americans or anyone else around the world. Instead, it was validation for Titmus as she tries to set aside a shoulder setback that many in Australian swimming circles felt could sink her gold medal hopes entirely.