Ariarne Titmus’ coach steals show despite attempts to avoid spotlight
Ariarne Titmus’ coach has ignored warnings not to overshadow his star swimmer’s moment of history at the Paris Olympics.
Dean Boxall appeared to do his best to avoid the spotlight as Ariarne Titmus roared to gold in the Paris pool.
It didn’t work.
The colourful coach was at his maniacal best as he cheered his pupil home to victory in the “race of the century” 400m freestyle final.
Titmus is the talk of the swimming world after she put American legend Katie Ledecky and Canadian sensation Summer McIntosh to the sword.
It was Titmus’ third gold medal and the first time an Australian has defended the women’s 400m crown in an Olympic pool for 96 years.
Just like he did in Tokyo — the emotion and ecstasy of the moment was all too much for the emotional coach.
Boxall made headlines around the world when he lost the plot celebrating Titmus’ triumph over Ledecky at the Tokyo Games.
After all the drama that surrounded his celebrations three years ago, Boxall appeared to do his best to avoid the cameras standing at the back of the stand inside the lower level of the Paris la Defense Arena.
But then Titmus surged to the front and looked to have the race sewn up with 50m still to swim and the switch flicked in Boxall’s head.
He was filmed by spectators inside the venue fist-pumping and screaming on his way down to the pool deck to celebrate with Titmus.
TV cameras only captured a brief moment of Boxall’s excitement, but it didn’t do his antics justice.
Channel 9 commentators speculated that Boxall had been warned against his wild antics — if so, he doesn’t seem to care.
Boxall was able to celebrate with Titmus on the pool deck as the 23-year-old also got to embrace members of her family and parents.
A cheer of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” went up as Titmus celebrated with friends and members of the Aussie team.
Nobody celebrated quite like Boxall, however.
This time around, however, nothing can steal Titmus’ thunder.
Ledecky and McIntosh were reduced to an afterthought as she hit the wall almost a full second ahead of McIntosh.
It was supposed to be a battle between three titans at the peak of their powers, but Titmus’ stunning swim shows there is only one 400m freestyle queen.
Titmus’ time of 3mins 57.49secs was nowhere near her world record, but it didn’t have to be.
Titmus said on the pool deck after the race: “The girls threw everything at me. I’m really happy to go and defend my title.”
The lack of emotion in her face reflected her dominance and the ease at which she made it look so easy.
“Oh my legs are a bit tired, but I’m just relieved more than anything,” she said after the race.
“I probably felt the expectation and pressure for this race more than anything in my life to be honest and I’m pretty good at handling the pressure but I’ve definitely felt it.
“I’m just happy to get the result for myself and I feel so honoured to be a part of the race and be alongside legends like Katie.”
Understandably, Titmus’ performance sent ripples around the world.
Sports Illustrated writer Pat Foord posted on Twitter: “Ariarne Titmus is just on a different level than everyone else in the 400 free. Big time race”.
Aussie sport broadcaster Quentin Hull posted: “In the end the contest didn’t live up to the hype because Ariane Titmus was just so utterly dominant. A mature performance from an incredible champion”.
Titmus, who dethroned Ledecky in Tokyo, came to France in red-hot form after shattering the 200m world record and swimming the second-quickest 400m ever at the Australian trials.
But Ledecky can never be written off and McIntosh was always going to be a threat after snatching Titmus’s world record last year before the Australian took it back.
However, it was all Titmus in Paris, who was near world record pace at the half-way mark and comfortably surged home with McIntosh hauling in Ledecky in the final lap to win her first Olympic medal.
Titmus will also swim the 200m and 800m in Paris.
Ledecky has opted out the shorter distance, focusing instead of defending her 800m and 1500m titles.
McIntosh is also skipping the 200m free, instead prioritising the 200m and 400m medley and 200m butterfly.
— with AFP
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