The greatest female swimmer of all time Katie Ledecky was dethroned by 20-year-old Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus in the 400m Freestyle competition at Olympics 2020. Ledecky won the 400m Freestyle competition at the 2016 Olympics, where she breezed past the competition but was pipped by Titmus at this year’s competition by a second.
The Aussie got the win with a time of 3:56.69, while Ledecky, who registered a time of 3:57.36, won silver. Third place and a bronze medal in the 400m women’s Freestyle competition at Tokyo 2020 went to 19-year-old Chinese swimmer Li Bingjie.
Ledecky had set the world and Olympics record for the 400m women’s Freestyle competition at the last Games, but was expected to have strong competition this time around. The writing was on the wall in the lead-up to the Olympics as Titmus beat the 24-year-old American at the World Championships in 2019.
After her first Olympic gold win, the young Australian was ecstatic at beating the swimming great and stated that Ledecky had inspired her to be where she is currently.
“I wouldn’t be here without her. She’s set this amazing standard for distance freestyle for girls. And if I didn’t have someone like her to chase, I definitely wouldn’t be swimming the way I am,” said Ariarne Titmus about Katie Ledecky.
After her historic win, Titmus thanked Ledecky in the pool and the two exchanged smiles and hugs following the close race.
Ledecky was pleased with the emergence of the Aussie sensation, stating that Titmus’ competition only makes the sport better.
“She said she couldn’t have done it without me, and I could say the same about her. She’s really pushed me. I think it’s great for the sport,” said Ledecky about Titmus.
Ledecky, at 24, still has a lot to offer even though her times have reduced over the last few years. Before Tokyo 2020, the American had won five gold and one silver medal in the previous two Olympics, five of which came at Rio 2016.
Ariarne Titmus and Katie Ledecky will be favorites and come head-to-head in several other swimming events at the 2020 Olympics, which includes the 200m and 800m Freestyle events.
The Australian’s win at the Olympics could be a changing of the guard moment in the women’s swimming competition as she could be in line to take Ledecky’s crown as the greatest female swimmer of all time. Titmus could be the future “First Lady of Freestyle” in years to come.
