Ariarne Titmus reveals the surprising truth about her rivalry with Katie Ledecky – and what happened as she partied with Gina Rinehart after her golden Paris Games

  • Titmus says she is good friends with rival Katie Ledecky
  • Says the fierce rivalry is not what it seems in the media
  • Talked about Gina Rinehart’s extravagant Olympic boat party

Australian pool queen Ariarne Titmus has spoken about her surprising friendship with rival Katie Ledecky after going head-to-head with the American top player at the Paris Olympics.

Titmus, 23, had a busy swimming schedule in Paris but returns to Australia with her hands full of new medals, having won gold in the women’s 400m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay, and silver in the women’s 800m and 200m freestyle.

The clashes between the Australian and Ledecky in the pool were among the highlights of the swimming competitions in Paris 2024. The two competed in the 400-meter and 800-meter butterfly.

Titmus was the one to beat the American for the 400-meter title, while Ledecky prevailed in the 800-meter race.

When asked about her ‘rivalry’ with Ledecky, the Australian said the two were friends.

“I get along really well with a lot of Americans, I’m very friends with Katie,” she told Nova 96.9’s Fitzy & Wippa show with Kate Ritchie.

‘I would consider her a friend. We chat before heats and finals. I’ve always wished her luck before we race… my best friend at home is actually a massive Katie fan and for the 800m medals I had Katie film a little video to say hello to her.

“So it’s not at all what it seems like in the media. We just have so much respect for each other, and even just, not just Katie and I, but you know, some of the other American athletes who I’m really friends with and the whole team really, there’s not that rivalry that everyone talks about.”

Ariarne Titmus (center) says she considers her American rival Katie Ledecky (left) a friend

Ledecky and Titmus are fierce rivals in the water, but not outside it (pictured after the American won the 800m freestyle in Paris)

On Monday evening, Titmus and other Team Australia athletes attended a lavish rowing boat party hosted by billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart on Paris’s famous Seine River.

‘Last night there was definitely a different atmosphere than the first night, Mrs. Reinhardt [Gina] “We organized a cruise for all the medal winners and it was just the perfect evening we needed,” said Titmus.

‘It was really incredible. We had Mateo Bocelli performing for us, the son of Andrea Bocelli.

‘He was incredible. As we were driving past the Eiffel Tower, and it was all sparkling, he was singing, like, these most amazing opera songs… it was actually quite emotional, to be honest!’

Titmus and fellow Australian gold-winning swimmer Briana Throssell attended Gina Rinehart’s riverboat party in Paris (pictured)

The Australian swimmer said it was “very emotional” when singer Mateo Bocelli – the son of famous tenor Andrea – performed for the athletes

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Titmus’ campaign consisted of eight races in eight days, as well as many hours of training before her events, and she is looking forward to some rest at home.

“I’m so proud of my efforts this week. Two golds, two silvers,” she said.

‘I couldn’t defend my 200m, but I’m happy that my training partner won. It’s great to be second behind her.’

“I’m just so happy with my weekend. I can’t wait for a big rest.”

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