TOKYO — The great pool rivalry between Australia and the US passed to a new generation on Monday when a 20-year-old known as “Terminator” hunted down the US dominator of women’s distance swimming in a dramatic 400m freestyle final in Tokyo.
Australian Ariarne Titmus clawed back Stanford graduate Katie Ledecky’s early lead to win gold, delaying the American’s quest for the three more gold medals that would make her the most successful female Olympic swimmer of all time.
“I can’t believe it, I’m trying to contain my emotions,” said Titmus, who praised her rival for raising the bar in the sport.
“I thanked her, I wouldn’t be here without her. She set this incredible standard. All credit to her for the swimmer she is.”
Team USA got their victory in the 4x100m men’s relay, beating Italy by more than a second with Australia taking the bronze.
British swimmer Adam Peaty roared with pride after he became the first Olympic swimmer to defend an Olympic title with a gold medal in the 100m breaststroke. Canadian Maggie MacNeil stormed to victory in a close women’s 100m butterfly.
The high-stakes swimming finals, staged in the morning in Tokyo to reach prime-time American television viewers, were held in a nearly empty aquatic center with spectators banned because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions.
The loud cheers of one fan, however, were heard across the world when video footage of Titmus’ coach Dean Boxall headbanging and dancing in the stands became a focus for National Broadcasting Company (NBC) commentators and went viral, making him an instant Games meme. — Reuters