Aussie pool queen Ariarne Titmus reveals her VERY surprising link to Queen Mary of Denmark – who’ll be watching her race in Paris

Australian swimming champion Ariarne Titmus has revealed that she is related to Queen Mary of Denmark. She has also revealed that her cousin Mary and King Frederik will be at the pool to watch her race in Paris.

Titmus, the reigning Olympic champion in the 200m and 400m freestyle, is a proud Tasmanian, like Queen Mary – but that’s not the only thing they have in common.

“We’re actually cousins ​​in a distant, indirect way,” she revealed to Women’s Day.

‘One of Dad’s cousins ​​is married to Mary’s cousin, which is actually quite funny as there’s a running joke that everyone born in Tasmania is related in some way!’

The royal couple will also both be poolside in Paris when Titmus competes in the 400m freestyle final on July 28, one of the first events Australians can’t miss after the opening ceremony on Saturday morning.

“It was months in the making and everything had to be kept secret for security reasons,” Titmus’ father Steve explains.

‘The women’s 400m final is seen as the race that will rock the country. And when we have a king and queen cheering on our Arnie, it doesn’t get much better.’

Titmus says she is grateful for all the support, but that she will not have much time to stay with the royals after the race.

Queen Mary and King Frederik will be poolside watching the Titmus race in Paris, but the Australian pool queen won’t be able to hang out and chat with the royals

“Mary might want to hang around after the race, so I hope she’ll be okay with me stepping away for a bit and not sticking around to chat with the others,” she said.

“I need to rest for the next morning, when I come back for the 200m freestyle, heats. I think she’ll understand.”

Titmus says she has never felt so well prepared for a swimming competition just before defending her Olympic title.

“There’s not much room in your mind for anything else other than concentrating on the job at hand,” Titmus told reporters at the Australian swimming team’s training camp in Chartres, about 95 kilometres (60 miles) southwest of Paris.

‘If you allow external noise, you will get off track.

‘I have a huge schedule ahead of me, which demands a lot of me and myself. And I know the Australian audience.

‘And when I let external factors play a role in my thoughts, I get so tired that all I think about is swimming as fast as possible.’

Titmus won a double gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago after limited preparation due to a shoulder injury.

Her road to Paris was smooth, culminating in breaking the world record in the 200m freestyle at the Australian qualifying events last month.

Titmus also holds the world record for the 400 meters, set at last year’s world championships.

The champion swimmer says she has never felt more prepared for a competition, just days before she defends her Olympic titles

“I learned so much mentally from the last Olympics,” said Titmus.

‘I know it will be different when there is a big audience, and I’m really looking forward to that.

‘As an athlete – as a whole – I’m in a better position than I was three years ago.

‘I’ll be honest and say I think I’ve prepared better than I’ve ever prepared for a swimming competition.

‘I’m especially curious about what I can do.

‘Of course I participate for our country, for the swimming team and for myself and my family.

‘But it’s about trying to get the best out of yourself. That’s why I still swim, because I believe I have more in me.

‘That’s my goal at these Games: to try to get the most out of it.’

Titmus’ highly anticipated 400-meter race against American athlete Katie Ledecky and Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh will take place on the opening day of the competition in the swimming pool in Paris on July 27.