Aussie pool queen Ariarne Titmus opens up about her huge cancer scare as she models the team’s new Olympic uniform

Olympic gold medalist Ariarne Titmus has spoken about her cancer scare as she modeled Australia’s uniform for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

The Australian collected gold in the 200m and 400m freestyle at the postponed 2021 Games in Tokyo, beating American rival Katie Ledecky and adding silver in the 800m.

Summer McIntosh has since emerged, although Titmus reclaimed the Canadian’s 400m world record last year and sparked a spirited three-way rivalry in the Paris pool from July.

Compatriot Mollie O’Callaghan defeated Titmus in world record time to win 200m gold at the 2023 world championships, where she became the first woman to win the 100-200m freestyle double.

Titmus, 23, was forced to take a two-month break from training last year after undergoing surgery to remove benign tumors from an ovary, which was discovered accidentally during an MRI scan of a painful hip.

Ariarne Titmus posted this photo from the hospital as she underwent surgery to remove tumors after a hip injury

“At the time I was going through the recovery I was very worried,” she told AAP on Wednesday at the launch of Australia’s water uniforms for the Paris Games.

‘I did nothing for two and a half weeks, then had six weeks of modifications and I was definitely behind where I wanted to be at that point in the season.

‘But now I can’t think about that; it will consume my spirit and I have done such an amazing job making up for what I have missed.

‘And I’m training really well at the moment, which is coming in handy for the Games and doing things in training that I haven’t done before.

‘When you wear this suit, it all feels very real. You really have to earn it and as long as I wear it today, I’m not in the team yet.’

Titmus said her training program complemented all three distances, allowing her to hedge her bets.

“Even the 800 meters – I won silver in Tokyo – so that race is still a focus,” she said.

“My favorite is the 400; I have the most confidence racing the 400. It’s the race that’s made perfect for me, but my focus is still evenly divided.”

Titmuss says she is training very well and is looking forward to the Games

Titmuss said wearing the new swimsuit makes the upcoming Games feel very real

Meanwhile, two-time Olympic champion cyclist Anna Meares, Australia’s chef de mission for Paris, has returned from a tour of Paris earlier this year, pleased with the host city’s progress.

France raised its terror alert to the highest level this week after an attack on a concert hall in Moscow that killed at least 130 people.

“From a security perspective, this is our top priority and we are always looking for changes in security information,” she said.

“We trust that the French government and the organizing committee are putting incredible plans in place to ensure safety not only for the Australian team, but also for spectators, family and friends.”

She said athletes will be allowed to leave the safety of the Olympic Village and will be encouraged to attend the opening ceremony, which will take place on the Seine for the first time.

“It’s open to the athletes and the sport to make that decision,” she said.

“If it adds to the performance and experience and they are willing to attend, we would like to see them.”