‘Very taxing’: Ariarne Titmus says no to social media for Paris, overwhelmed by response to her world record

Mass messages of support following a world record demonstrate the love Australia has for Ariarne Titmus. But for the 23-year-old Olympic champion, such support creates noise and a day – even a week of competition – without social media is no bad thing.

Ariarne Titmus reacts after winning the women’s 800m freestyle. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Ariarne Titmus is planning a social media blackout for Paris after being overwhelmed by the response to her 200m freestyle world record and wary of excessive gratitudes impacting her focus at the Olympic Games.

Titmus revealed she had deleted Instagram and other social media accounts after waking to mass messages of support after her stunning world record victory over teammate Mollie O’Callaghan.

ARNIE TAKES THE WORLD RECORD!

A blistering 200m freestyle from Ariarne Titmus (1.52.23) holds off Mollie O'Callaghan (1:52.48), who both went under WR time and are qualified to compete at #Paris2024!#AllezAUS | @SwimmingAuspic.twitter.com/1mPmoCvVBt

— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) June 12, 2024

She is not the first Australian athlete to talk about the perils of social media, with Emily Seebohm getting swept up in the same delirium during the 2012 London Olympics and Cate Campbell noting how excessive pressure in the form of positive comments from the public also impacted her mentality at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“I’ll definitely be off social media for the whole week racing in Paris,” Titmus said.

“I just think like, after last night, there’s so much noise and activity and it’s a lot to, you know, absorb and it’s just very taxing.

“So I just deleted it for the day today to just try and focus on the race tonight.

“So during the Olympics, I will definitely be off it at all times.

“But I’ll be out and about, you know, between now and then but I just think you know, it’s a lot of external pressure sometimes if you’re on it all the time.”

Titmus secured her third individual swim of the Paris Olympic Games on Thursday night, winning the 800m freestyle in Brisbane in 8:14.06 ahead of Lani Pallister in 8:14.06.

She was disappointed with the time, especially after going out under world record pace but fading over the final 400m.

Ariarne Titmus disappointed with her 800 metres freestyle time. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“To be completely honest I am a bit disappointed with the swim but I know I get another chance in Paris,” Titmus said.

“I won’t get in trouble too much now knowing that at least I put myself out there, I gave myself a chance. I just really lost my legs.

“I truly thought I had a chance to have a great 800 and a PB.

“I just wanted the time, I know I’m better than that. But at least I get the chance to do it again at the Olympics.”

Originally published as ‘Very taxing’: Ariarne Titmus says no to social media for Paris, overwhelmed by response to her world record