Keys to the city for Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus?
She captured the hearts of the nation with her outstanding performance at the Olympics, now Ariarne Titmus’ home town is will honour her her achievements >>
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CITY of Launceston Council will explore options for the best way to honour the achievements of Olympic golden girl Ariarne Titmus.
The motion put forward by Deputy Mayor Danny Gibson at the council meeting on Thursday recommended giving 60 days to investigate recognition options.
He suggested presenting the Olympic champion with the keys to the city or naming the 50m competition pool at the Launceston Leisure and Aquatic Centre in her honour.
At her first Olympics the 20-year-old took home gold medals in the 200m and 400m freestyle, silver in 800m freestyle, and bronze in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay.
“I think there has been some conversations about her age and where she is at in her career, and to that I would simply say she is a dual Olympic champion who hails from Launceston,” Cr Gibson said.
“By celebrating Ariarne Titmus’ achievements, we as a city provide encouragement and inspiration to all young people to continue in their chosen field, in their chosen pursuits to be the best that they can be.”
He said as part of the process Titmus and her family should be consulted.
Councillor Hugh Mckenzie said it was important to acknowledge her achievements and that she had made the city proud.
“She has done something which has never been done by a Tasmanian athlete, somebody born and bred in Launceston and who still reflects on this city very boldly, in my view this is a no-brainer. Let’s do the investigation and come up with the appropriate accolade,” he said.
Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said he had already heard a number of suggestions on ways to recognise the champion.
Councillor Alan Harris said he was initially dismissive of calls to build a statue or rename to the city’s pool following her impressive performance in Tokyo out of concern it would put extra pressure on her, and had spoken with her parents Robyn and Steve.
“Robyn responded in a way that reassured me that Ariarne has been living under immense pressure for the past few years,” he said.
“If you think about it as 14 year when your parents uproot and move to another state to help you succeed in your chosen field it puts a lot of pressure on you every day to make sure that what you’d done for them is worthy.
“I think her comment to me was, ‘she eats pressure for breakfast.’”
Titmus would be the sixth people to receive the keys to the city and the first female if the option is chosen.
Other to received the honour including champion cyclist Richie Porte, national cricket captain Ricky Ponting and composer Peter Sculthorpe AO OBE.
A report on potential recognition options will be prepared in 60 days before a final decision is made.
Launceston’s council to consider giving Ariarne Titmus the Keys to the City
SHE captured the hearts of the nation with her outstanding performance at the Olympics, now golden girl Ariarne Titmus’ home town of Launceston is considering two new honours to celebrate her success.
Deputy Mayor Danny Gibson will table a motion at the Launceston City Council on Thursday to present the Olympic champion with the keys to the city and name the 50m competition pool at the Launceston Leisure and Aquatic Centre in her honour.
“In celebrating Ariarne’s achievements, we as a city will provide inspiration and encouragement to others to follow their dreams in pursuit of their chosen endeavour,” he said the motion.
At her first Olympics she took home an impressive haul, with gold medals in the 200m and 400m freestyle, putting her among the country’s most successful swimmers.
People all over the state and the country, including hundreds students at her former school St Patrick’s College in Launceston took time out their day to watch her race and cheer her on.
She also claimed silver in 800m freestyle, bested by US swimmer Katie Ledecky, and bronze in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay.
Before relocating to Queensland in 2015 she trained in the 50m competition pool at the local aquatic centre.
“It is appropriate to name this pool in her honour, to both recognise her achievements and to serve as an inspiration for Launceston’s current and future generations of swimmers,” Cr Gibson said.
The key to the city is traditionally presented by the mayor at a civic ceremony to recognise outstanding achievement in sport, entertainment or humanitarian work at a national or international level.
Five people have previously received the honour, including champion cyclist Richie Porte was presented with the keys to the city earlier this year.
Round-the-world yachtsman Ken Gourlay in 2007, former world boxing champion Daniel Geale in 2012, national cricket captain Ricky Ponting in 2014, and composer Peter Sculthorpe AO OBE in 2015.
The motion request council’s officers investigate and report back to council within 60 days on potential recognition options.
“It is important to note that Ariarne’s career is far from over and I am sure that there will be
further additions to her resume but with her performance at the 2020 Olympic Games
(2021) it is both opportune and appropriate that we mark her significance in Tasmanian,
Australian and world swimming by honouring her in the way proposed,” Cr Gibson said.
The motion will be discussed at the council’s meeting on Thursday.
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