Ariarne Titmus shakes off defeat to arch-rival Katie Ledecky as Aussie swimmers make strong statement in the opening heats in Paris

Ariarne Titmus is unsure of the motive of American swimming legend Katie Ledecky, who enjoyed success during her entrance to a main event at the Paris Olympics.

And the Australian athlete doesn’t seem to mind much after competing against Ledecky in the women’s 400m freestyle on Saturday morning.

Titmus led for 350 meters before Ledecky put in a fast final lap to finish first, securing lane four for Saturday night’s highly anticipated final.

Did the American send Titmus a message?

“Maybe. I don’t know,” said Titmus.

‘I try not to look too much into heat swimming.

‘But she has job four, I have job five, it doesn’t matter that much.

‘Now it’s about who can do it tonight.’

Ledecky clocked a time of 4:02.19 seconds, followed by Titmus with a time of 4:02.46.

Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh (4:02.65) swam in another heat and was fourth fastest in the medal race, while Australian Jamie Perkins (4:03.30, fifth) also advanced.

While Titmus was unsure of Ledecky’s message, the dominant Australian women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team sent an ominous signal to their rivals in their heat.

Australia, world record holders and chasing a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal in the event, rested its top guns Mollie O’Callaghan and Shayna Jack.

The Dolphins fielded Olivia Wunsch, four-time Olympian Bronte Campbell, Meg Harris and Emma McKeon and posted a solid time of 3:31.57, beating the United States (3:33.29).

In the men’s relay, Australians Jack Cartwright, William Yang, Flynn Southam and Kyle Chalmers won their heat, which also included the gold medal favourites from the USA.

Australia (3:12.25) reached the final with the second-fastest time, behind China (3:11.62).

Before the relay round, Australia’s most successful Olympian McKeon effortlessly reached the semi-finals of the women’s 100m butterfly.