After missing out on a gold medal, Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus has blamed the Olympic Village’s circumstances.
Titmus, who broke the world record in the 200-meter freestyle at Australia’s selection trials, ultimately took home silver in Paris after losing to her fellow countrywoman Mollie O’Callaghan.
O’Callaghan’s time of 1:53.27 set a new Olympic record. Titmus owned the previous Olympic record, with a time of 1:53.50 in Tokyo 2020, but he was only able to score 1:53.81 in Paris this time.
I say “only” because, at the time, I was unable to swim that far, and there were very few individuals in the world who could.
In the Olympic race, gold and silver were separated by less than half a second, and Titmus later said that she was crying “happy tears.”
When asked whether she was sad not to beat her own record, she said, “In these kinds of situations, it’s really hard to hold your emotions in.
” I really feel delighted for her and am thrilled to be standing on the podium because I understand what it’s like to be an Olympic winner. Tonight, I had nothing to lose.
It had already been a successful Olympics for Titmus, since she had previously won gold in the 400-meter freestyle at Paris 2024.
Speaking after her silver, she did, however, voice her regret at not being able to surpass the record she had established in Tokyo and hinted that there could be a problem with the Olympic village itself.
It was definitely not the moment I thought I could have done it, but it’s difficult to perform when you live in an Olympic village, she added.
“It’s definitely not made for high performance, so it’s about who can really keep it together in the mind.”
Athletes have criticized the village, according to Reuters, with several Olympians taking issue with the food and accommodations offered.
Even swimming athletes from South Korea relocated from the Olympic village to a nearby hotel. Australian water polo player
Tilly Kearns said her bed was “rock solid,” while her roommate Gabi Palm claimed sleeping on the cardboard bed was making her “back about to fall off.”
The housing accommodations at Paris 2024 have not received all the accolades, and while the athletes have considered the mattresses to be durable enough to withstand a great deal of abuse, others may consider them to be a little too durable.
Australian Swimming head coach Rohan Taylor responded to Titmus’ remarks by saying: “The Olympics has always been a challenge.”
Every Olympic Games you watch, including the ones I’ve participated in, is a test of an athlete’s capacity to go to this place, compete, and deliver when it counts.
“Everyone handles it; it’s about how you handle yourself and the situations that are put in front of you, including the beds and food. “This is how the Olympics have always been, and it will always be. And its beauty lies in that.”
Due to his skill at swimming longer distances, Titmus will be aiming for another gold in the 800m freestyle, where the final is set for the following day after the heats on August 2.
