Joe Hildebrand: Why golden girl’s victory is just what we need

The stunning victory of Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus shows why the Games are more vital than ever, writes Joe Hildebrand.

AT approximately 20 minutes past midday on Monday afternoon came a historic television moment that shone a golden light on these dark and divided times and brought all Australians together
as one.

Unfortunately I was out walking the dog at the time but I heard it was pretty good.

This was of course the explosive performance of Australian swimming star Dean Boxall, closely followed by the person who was actually in the pool, Ariarne Titmus.

But the truth is it didn’t really matter who it was, all that mattered was they won. After a range of Aussie disappointments in everything from soccer to skateboarding, we needed to get back to what we do best as a country – namely beating Americans and accusing the Chinese of cheating.

And Titmus achieved at least one of those sacred national goals in knocking off Katie Ledecky.

Ariarne Titmus after winning gold in the Women's 400m Freestyle Final in Tokyo. Picture: Getty Images

This is precisely why we need the Olympic Games right now. Many argued that the crippling Covid crisis and ongoing lockdowns meant the Games should be cancelled. In fact it is precisely for these reasons they are more vital than ever.

Channel 7’s eye-watering audience numbers are proof of this but proof is hardly needed. At a time when we are once more beset by rolling lockdowns and lockouts – and all at the final hurdle, to use some Olympian vernacular – the action and hype of the Games is like a shot of adrenaline in a weary nation’s arm.

And of course it makes a welcome change from watching premiers and chief health officers recite case numbers.

Indeed, my only complaint is around the ever-controversial exhibition sports being showcased at Tokyo. May I suggest that instead of softball or sport climbing we introduce a new equestrian event.

This would simply involve getting a bunch of police horses and unleashing them on a bunch of anti-vaxxers.

Not only would it be a guaranteed crowd-pleaser but it would be the only Olympic sport in which everybody wins.

Joe Hildebrand is on 2GB Nights with John Stanley on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8pm