Titmus’ record is under threat, and a rising star is coming for her mantle

There was a determined sparkle in Ariarne Titmus’ eyes when she issued a telling message of her intent, and with that, a warning to rest of Australia’s Olympic Games’ hopefuls.

“I have to know where I’m at.”

Ariarne Titmus will head into next week’s Olympic trials as the defending gold medallist in the 200m and 400m freestyle.Credit: Getty

It sent a signal that the 400-metre freestyle champion would be leaving nothing in the tank at next week’s Olympic trials, resolute in her quest to add another chapter to her legacy in Paris.

But while the Queensland sensation will be putting all her cards on the table in Brisbane, a rising star is plotting her downfall, and the chance to announce herself as the new queen of the pool.

Titmus, the Tokyo gold medallist in the 400-metre and 200-metre freestyle, remains the world record holder in the former, but 20-year-old Mollie O’Callaghan will take on the trials as fastest on the planet in the 200-metre event.

The Logan product conquered Titmus at the Australian Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast in April, having achieved world glory at the 2023 World Aquatic Championships (1:52.85) in a rapid evolution since her shock omission from the nation’s 200-metre relay team at the last Olympics.

And Titmus, who will feel the same pressures that come with being the hunted leader, saw some similarities in their respective paths to the top.

“A little bit, but Mollie and I are very different athletes and I can’t speak to her preparation. I feel like everyone is an individual and I know what I’m doing right now to prepare myself for the Games and that’s all I’ll be worrying about,” Titmus said.

“I think she’s grown a lot, her life has definitely changed as an athlete and a person in the spotlight in swimming.

“Going into Tokyo as a relay swimmer in a heat is very different going into her second Games as a now world record holder.

“I really hope that she can put the best preparation forward so that she can win some medals for our country as well.”

Mollie O’Callaghan reacts after winning the 200m freestyle final at the World Swimming Championships last year.Credit: AP Photos/Lee Jin-man

Both Titmus and O’Callaghan will head into the June 10-15 trials with a home field advantage, competing in the same Chandler pool they have encountered several times.

However, Titmus has declared she had no intention of keeping any secrets and will be out to show her rivals – at home and abroad – exactly what she is capable of.

The 23-year-old’s own world record time (3:55.38) is expected to be under threat at the Games.

According to Queensland University of Technology associate professor Dr Paul Wu, studies into athlete progress, training methods and rates of improvement have indicated Titmus’ 400-metre gold medal time in Japan had just a 50 per cent chance of attaining victory.

Titmus knows if she is to attain the heights she reached three years ago, the trials could not be seen as a warm-up act for the Games. Next week’s showdown needed to be a sign of what her peak would look like.

“Being six weeks out from an Olympic Games you really have to have an understanding of where your performance is, and I think I’ve got to put my best foot forward,” Titmus said.

“You’ve got one chance to make an Olympic team and I think that if you were a little bit conserved and stuffed it up you’d never forgive yourself.

“Anything can happen at Olympic trials, the Olympic Games are different to anything else.

“People pull swims out of nowhere to make the team. You’ve got to be in your best form on the day, and I know I’m going to have to be there.”