Ariarne Titmus opens up on Summer McIntosh and what life after swimming may look like for the Olympic champion

Currently doing some media work during her extended break from swimming, Ariarne Titmus has shared her thoughts on Canadian teenage star Summer McIntosh.

Champion Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus says she won’t rush back to the pool despite losing her 400m freestyle world record last week and is considering a media career after swimming.

The three-time Olympic gold medallist has had an extended break from the pool since the 2024 Paris Games, during which she took the 400m title, and could only watch on as 18-year-old Canadian star Summer McIntosh set a new record for the event with a 3:54.18 time.

Titmus said while she was disappointed to lose her record, she would not alter the plans she had in place to return to the pool and train.

“Credit where credit is due, it’s a fantastic time,” said Titmus, who is currently commentating for Channel Nine’s live and exclusive coverage of the Australian swim trials in Adelaide.

“Of course it hurts but records are there to be broken and it’s great for the sport … it sucks but it is what it is.

Ariarne Titmus after beating Summer Mcintosh at the Paris Olympics. Picture: Henk Jan Dijks/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images

“She (McIntosh) has had the week of her life … she’s a superstar.

“It definitely gets the competitive juices flowing but whether that draws me back to the water sooner and changes my approach, I’ve always had this plan to come back when I want to come back and that won’t change.

“Dean (Boxall) and I haven’t really spoken about it, we’ve only discussed how our squad was fairing.”

Dean Boxall celebrates Ariarne Titmus winning in Paris. Picture: Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Titmus has been embracing life outside of the pool since Paris.

Recently following in her sports reporter father Steve Titmus’ footsteps, the 24-year-old has embraced the opportunity to cover the national swimming trials.

She said it had given her a new perspective on the sport.

“I’ve really enjoyed my break … working poolside to deliver the swimming with Channel Nine has been really fun and it’s been a new take on the whole sport.

Ariarne Titmus on air with Nine at the national swimming trials. Picture: X/Twitter, via Nine’s Wide World of Sports

“The last time I was in Adelaide was in 2022 off of the back of Tokyo and it was the first time I broke the 400 freestyle world record.

“Now, watching all these swimmers perform, I’d probably feel ‘fomo’ if I was in form and had been training but the fact I haven’t been swimming since the Olympics, I don’t feel that too much.

“We’ve seen some really fast swimming and a lot of rookies who have made their mark – they didn’t compete in Paris but they’re fearless and taking it to the older athletes … that’s what it’s all about.

While Titmus had no plans to walk away from swimming yet, she admitted she had started to think about her life after competition since taking her break.

She said pursuing a media role and following the footsteps of her father was something she was excited by.

“When I was younger, I never thought about my career post-swimming but I guess now as I’ve gotten older and realised swimming doesn’t last forever I’ve started to think about it and this experience has given me more insight into what I’d like to do.

“I feel grateful as well that dad has been in TV for 40 years and he’s now giving me tips.

“A few years ago I might not have listened to him but now I want to learn as much as I can from him.”

Originally published as Ariarne Titmus opens up on Summer McIntosh and what life after swimming may look like for the Olympic champion