Ariarne Titmus pipped at the finish by American rival in 400m freestyle heat

Australian favourite Ariarne Titmus was defeated by American Katie Ledecky in a thrilling run in the 400m freestyle on the opening day of the Olympic Games.

Titmus, who won the event at the Tokyo Olympics, seemed on her way to victory, but her main rival came from behind and took the honours in the last 50 metres.

Ledecky posted a time of 4:02.19, just ahead of Titmus at 4:02.46. The duo posted the two fastest times in the three heats.

Titmus, the world record holder and five-time gold medalist, will now swim in lane five in Sunday’s final.

“If you just look at Arnie at the end of that race, she didn’t actually look that tired,” Giaan Rooney said on Channel Nine.

‘It didn’t look comfortable in that last 100 meters, but I also wonder if that was a bit of a game of ‘I don’t want to burn everything I have this morning, if you want to do that time then do it, I don’t have to do that’.

Another Australian also made it to the final: Jamie Perkins qualified fifth.

New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather (third fastest qualifier) ​​and Canada’s Summer McIntosh (fourth fastest) both swam well, promising an exciting final tomorrow.