By Tom Decent
Australian Olympic great Ariarne Titmus says she won’t be retiring from swimming and has confirmed her intention to compete at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
On a day when Swimming Australia and Nine Entertainment announced a historic 10-year broadcast partnership, Titmus has revealed to this masthead that she intends to return to training this year after another successful Olympic campaign in Paris.
Titmus defended her 400m freestyle title in Paris by winning the ‘Race of the Century’ against Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh before picking up another gold medal as part of Australia’s women’s 4x200m freestyle relay team. She also won silver medals in her 200m and 800m freestyle events.
The 24-year-old was always going to take an extended break after Paris, potentially as long as 12 months. Titmus now feels ready to announce her next move.
“The plan is to get back in July,” Titmus said. “I’ve spoken to [coach] Dean [Boxall] about that. He said to get moving in July, I may have to start doing a little bit in the water at the end of May. That’s definitely the plan.
“I’m so grateful that I’ve got Dean and Rohan Taylor, the head coach of Australia, backing me and putting what I need first. I don’t think it was like that 20 years ago.
Col Pearse (Paralympian), Ariarne Titmus (Olympian) and James Bracey (broadcaster) pose for a photo at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Swimming Australia and Nine have signed a new 10-year broadcast partnership.Credit: Aaron Francis
“I’ve always said that I was going to take a 12-month break off the back of Paris. That’s something that I discussed with Dean and Rohan before the Paris Olympics.
“I just knew that after Paris, I needed some time away. I’ve been on the national team since I was 16, and I just needed a bit of a break mentally from the intensity of the sport.”
The major international swimming competition this year is the world championships in Singapore in late July and early August.
Titmus, who won two golds, a silver and a bronze at the last world championships in Fukuoka in 2023, said she would not compete in Singapore.
Ariarne Titmus after winning gold in the women’s 400m freestyle at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Credit: AP
However, a third Olympics is very much on the agenda, in what is good news for Australian swimming fans.
“For me, there’s no point racing when I’m not going to be able to perform at my best or near my best,” Titmus said. “When you’re at the tail-end of your career, the Olympics just become so much more important. I’ll be going back to training to be able to gear up for LA. It’s the Olympic Games that now my eyes are on.”
The months that followed Paris 2024 were extremely busy for Titmus. She boarded 56 flights between the end of the Olympics, in mid-August, and December 31.
Titmus is working with Channel 9 at the Australian Open in Melbourne and is loving the foray into broadcasting. However, she wants to make sure she gets enough rest before embarking on another Olympic campaign.
Ariarne Titmus (left) and Kate Hutchison (right) at the Australian Open. Credit: Getty Images
For now, Titmus is enjoying the simple pleasure of sleep-ins.
“I have been absolutely everywhere and had a lot of fun but working pretty hard,” Titmus said.
“I’m taking this next six months to still work because I need to keep myself busy, but actually enjoy life and enjoy the reason why I took the break. [I will] have time with my family and friends and for myself, away from the intensity of my sport, and actually use that time to relax and unwind.
“I’m a big tennis fan. My favourite is Rafa [Nadal] but obviously he’s not on the tour any more. The best part about my job is reporting colour, which means I actually get to enjoy everything on the ground.”
It comes as Nine Entertainment solidified its standing as the home of Australian swimming by signing a historic 10-year broadcast deal with Swimming Australia until the end of 2034.
After delivering record-breaking Olympic and Paralympic broadcasts in Paris last year, Nine, the publisher of this masthead, will show the Australian swimming trials for the next decade.
Australia’s trials will be held from June 9 to 14 in Adelaide where a Dolphins squad will be selected for the world swimming championships in Singapore (July 27 to August 3). It is the first major international longcourse swimming competition since Paris 2024.
A broadcaster has not been announced yet for the upcoming world championships in Singapore. Nine broadcast the world championships in Fukuoka in 2023 when Australia topped the medal tally for the first time since 2001.
Australia’s Shayna Jack, Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris, from left, celebrate after winning the women’s 4x100-metre freestyle relay final in Paris. Credit: AP
As part of its new deal with Swimming Australia, Nine will broadcast the Australian Short Course Championships, Australian Age Championships and Australian Open Championships.
International swimming is also included in the deal, with Nine set to broadcast the 2026 and 2030 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships (Pan Pacs).
The 2026 Pan Pacs in Irvine, California, will be a major focus for Australia’s swimmers as they battle it out against swimmers from the USA, Canada and Japan.
The 2030 Pan Pacs will be hosted in Australia ahead of Brisbane 2032.
“It’s amazing for our sport,” Titmus said. “People must just think that we don’t do anything for the other three [years]. Now they can finally see us on TV performing in each year in between. Hopefully, the fan base can grow.”
Swimming Australia chief executive Rob Woodhouse said in a statement: “This landmark agreement with Nine is a pivotal moment for our sport. It brings unprecedented exposure to our national teams and to the next generation of athletes that will be household names by LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032.
Nine’s acting CEO, Matt Stanton, said: “Nine is proud to provide Swimming Australia with an unrivalled multimedia platform to showcase its sport and success for the next 10 years. Sport is part of our DNA at Nine and this partnership ensures Swimming Australia has the backing and support of Nine as we head towards Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”