Tasmanians in Olympic action: Titmus leads state’s gold charge on first day of action

Bonjour Paris, the Olympics have arrived and Tasmanian athletes are ready to compete on the global stage. Here’s what time to catch them on day one >>

4 min read

July 27, 2024 - 2:31PM

Ariarne Titmus will be leading Tasmania’s charge at gold on the first day of action at the Paris Olympics. Picture Sarah Stier/Getty Images

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Dual defending champion swimmer Ariarne Titmus has the honour of kicking off Tasmania’s Olympic involvement as she seeks to build on her stunning personal medal collection of two gold, one silver and one bronze from Tokyo.

At 7pm on Saturday (Tasmanian time), the Launceston-born, Brisbane-based 23-year-old freestyler will contest the heats of the 400m, an event in which she is the reigning Olympic, world and Commonwealth champion and world record holder.

Ariarne Titmus and the Australian swim team arrive at the Olympic Village in Paris ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Pics Adam Head

Titmus will also race the 200m, 800m and 4x200m relay at La Defense Arena but knows expectation is highest for her favourite distance.

“Of all my races I know how to race the 400 the best … and I’m just excited to see what I can put together on the world stage,” she said.

“The 400m is on day one. Everyone is going into that race fresh … no one knows what kind of form anyone else is in.

“I’m excited to see what I am able to put together. I don’t think about the result or the magnitude of what an Olympic Games is … I just think about putting together eight great laps.”

Across heats and finals, Titmus is expecting to be in action on six of the next eight days.

“I have a massive program coming up … with a lot of expectation on myself, from myself and the Australian public so if I let external factors enter my mind it’s just exhausting.

“I just think about swimming as fast as I can and at the end of the day it doesn’t matter whether it’s at the Olympic Games or the state championships. I’m still going to do my absolute best and that’s how I think about it.

“I’m just excited to see what I’m capable of and of course I’m racing for the country and the swim team and for myself and my family but it’s about getting the best out of yourself.”

Max Giuliani will tkae to the pool for his Olympic debut on Sunday. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Hobart’s Max Giuliani, 21, begins his Olympic career in the heats of the men’s 200m freestyle at 7pm on Sunday.

Journey begins for Kookaburras to go one better

Having won a silver medal at his first Olympic Games, Josh Beltz is focused on going one better at his second.

“You have to reflect on an amazing experience,” Beltz said of Tokyo, where the Kookaburras were a penalty shootout away from Olympic gold.

“But we go to the Olympics to win and ultimately we did not do that. So, I do reflect on the silver with a lot of pride, but obviously we’re aiming to go one better this year.”

Josh Beltz and Eddie Ockenden with Australian Olympic president and Tasmanian Ian Chesterman. Picture: AOC.

The Kookaburras have been pooled with reigning champions Belgium plus India, New Zealand and Ireland and begin their campaign against 2016 champions Argentina on Saturday at 9.15pm (Australian time).

“Any team at the Olympics is going there to win it and we’ll do our homework,” Beltz said.

“We know all teams are geared up to perform at their best in Paris so it’s hard to tell until we get to the biggest stage.

“We don’t get to play Belgium a lot compared to, say, New Zealand or India. They have been the benchmark for four or five years, if not longer.

“The team is starting to think about those challenges but we think it is important to focus on ourselves.

“Ever since I’ve been involved you enter any tournament and any of the top six or eight nations probably think they can win it. World rankings go out the door when it comes to major tournaments. We think we are well positioned, but I guarantee others think the same.”

Tasmanians Eddie Ockenden and Josh Beltz will take to the pitch for the Kookaburras opening game on Saturday night.

The 29-year-old DiamondBacks workhorse has made 119 international appearances, scoring eight goals, and is enjoying his role in the national set-up.

“In the last couple of years I have been quite consistent being able to play a lot and contribute to the team. I’ve had a lot more opportunity and it’s been good to be involved,” he said.

“Being fluid and adaptable is definitely something we have to be. My position is very broadly as a defender but I spend time in midfield as well.

“Everyone in the team is unique and we are definitely encouraged to play in the position that best suits our strength.

“I’d like to think I react quickly to a change of situation and become hard to get past but with the ball, have the ability to read the game and get into dangerous positions.”

With the Tokyo Games delayed and then played under the cloud of Covid-19, Beltz is hoping for a more authentic Olympic experience in Paris alongside fellow Hobartian,

Kookaburras’ record appearance-maker and Australia’s opening ceremony flag-bearer Eddie Ockenden, who is attending his fifth Games.

“It’s just a unique opportunity as an athlete and you may only go to one or two – unless you’re Eddie of course – but I’ve enjoyed the extra training and challenge,” he said.

“It’s a pretty special time in an athlete’s life, so I’m grateful for the opportunity. We had some test matches in France off the back of Pro League games but, apart from that and holidays, I have not spent a lot of time here so it’s exciting. Obviously it’s a city that’s full of tradition and culture and should be an incredible experience.”