Ariarne Titmus is arguably one of the finest athletes in modern times, with her trademark cool head and razor-sharp focus that has earned her world records and Olympic gold medals. But swimming faster than anyone on the planet is not the only talent Australian sporting sensation has up her sleeve.
When Woman’s Day caught up with swimming’s 23-year-old leading lady just weeks out from her second Olympic campaign, the reigning champion from Tokyo in the 200m and 400m freestyle, and the current world record holder in the same events, is back in her other happy place – the kitchen, cooking up one almighty storm.
“It’s the first time I’ve lived out of home, and having my own place suddenly feels like I’m all grown up,” Ariarne shares from her luxury riverside Brisbane apartment she purchased in 2022 after her success at the Tokyo Games.
“I absolutely love cooking. My late Grandma [Fran], who won prizes at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and even made mum and dad’s wedding cake, and my Nanna Sandra, who I used to watch the TV series Iron Chef with, both passed on their cooking skills to me. Today it’s my go-to when I’m not training.”
And as the current world champ prepares to enter the Athletes Village in Paris along with more than 10,000 other global hopefuls, for this little Tassie girl who dared to dream big, it’s a “pinch me” moment.
“When you consider the Village is built across three French cities, I’m bursting to get there – I’m so excited,” she says. “Because of Covid restrictions in Tokyo, as a first time Olympian I didn’t get the real Olympic experience. There were no spectators, so this time knowing my friends and family are with me every step of the way makes the journey even more special.”
FAIRYTALE JOURNEY
“Sadly, I won’t be participating in the opening ceremony – my pet event, the 400m freestyle, is on the next day, so quite a few of us will be watching from the Athletes Village as our teammates proudly march behind our flag.”
Never one to get ahead of herself, Ariarne admits the fairytale journey would never have happened without the support of her incredible family.
“I can’t take all the credit – without mum and dad [Robyn and Steve], little sister Mia, the family pooch Lucy, and our wonderful grandparents and close-knit extended clan, my life chapters so far would’ve surely had a very different outcome,” she says.
“It helps that both my parents were sporty – dad in cricket and mum athletics. But there is no handbook for parents raising an elite athlete. Yet, somehow, they instinctively knew what to do. And it all came down to what really counts in any family – unconditional love and trust.”
Born in Launceston, Tasmania, Arnie, as she prefers to be called, won her first national championship at 13 after joining a squad at her local pool a few years before. And when former coach Peter Gartrell told her parents if their daughter wants to swim for Australia it would be “massively difficult” to do from Tassie, the entire family relocated to Brisbane.
ARIARNE TITMUS MAKES MUM AND DAD PROUD
“We’ve always maintained we made choices for our girls, and not sacrifices, and coming to Brisbane was a no-brainer,” explains dad Steve, who is Seven’s presenter for their Gold Coast news.
“As parents, we sign up to give our kids the best opportunities to chase their dreams – we never put any pressure on Arnie to become an Olympian.”
Robyn, who works full-time in executive recruitment, admits while Tasmania will always hold a special place in their hearts, Queensland is now their home. And she’s Arnie’s biggest fan!
“I’m her mum. And of course biased, but we’re just so proud. She’s a beautiful soul, who just happens to swim fast!” she says smiling.
For Arnie, who is a mad AFL fan and loves her Hawks, a move to the Sunshine State had its challenges. Her biggest worry, she admits, was how little sister Mia would adjust to such a massive upheaval.
“She was 12 at the time – there was no option for her and she essentially had to pack up her life just so I could pursue my dream,” Arnie recalls of the 21-year-old, who is now studying occupational therapy.
“I never wanted her to grow up in my shadow, and I feel blessed she’s always supported me and has never held a grudge. We’ve always been incredibly close.”
RELOCATING TO BRISBANE
As fate would have it, relocating to Brisbane also introduced Arnie to swimming supercoach Dean Boxall, whose wild celebrations after her gold medal swim in the 400m freestyle in Tokyo went viral across the world!
“Dean is unapologetically his own authentic self, and is the most driven person I know. He’s arguably the best in the world – we’ve merged this incredible and unique partnership and created unbelievable success.
“We’re an extraordinary team and have reached the pinnacle in our sport, and for that I’m so grateful. I firmly believe we made each other,” she says.
And anyone who knows Arnie knows she’s all about forging long-time relationships, even at the business end of her sport.
She is a trusted ambassador for a number of companies who’ve backed her since the early days, including Harvey Norman, Nike, Speedo, food-related brands like GluteGuard and Simply Wize, skincare range La Roche-Posay, and only recently has signed a lucrative deal with our national carrier Qantas.
And it seems the same unified harmony Arnie is feeling in her preparation for Paris is infectious throughout the entire Australian swimming team.
“I’ve been on a lot of representative teams but this is the best group I’ve ever been a part of,” she says.
“I swear I could room in Paris with just about any one of the girls, we all get on so well – of course I would love to be paired with Emma [McKeon] who was my first roomie when I made the team at the age of 16.
“She’s a special person, a true pioneer and trailblazer who has paved the way for the rest of us coming through,” she says fondly of her teammate, who happens to be Australia’s most decorated Olympian.
“I’m the authentic foodie in the team, and love when we’re in training camp that I can cook for the room – I think my new love language is cooking!”
So, as she heads to the city of love in the quest for more gold, is there a special someone in her life right now? “Trust me, I’m very single – I have very high standards, and considering I have so many amazing male role models you can be sure I won’t ever settle for second best,” she smiles.
BRINGING HOME GOLD
“Once we’re done and our program is over, we have to leave the Village and I’m planning on taking a few days off. I’m going to be at the closing ceremony – that’s when the party really begins!”
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Ariarne on her journey to Paris. Last September doctors discovered a benign tumour on one of her ovaries and she underwent surgery.
“You hear the C word and suddenly it all changes – it made me realise there’s so much life beyond swimming,” Ariarne says.
“That said, I’m not ready to quit – I’m just taking a very long rest from the sport after Paris to see what’s next.”
“I have put my studies on hold and I plan to take a complete rest from swimming after Paris with a dream and a view to going around one more time in Los Angeles in 2028. Who knows, I may even push through to my home Olympics in 2032 – I’ll be 31 so it’s not out of the question!” she teases.
“But right now, I just need to get to Paris and hopefully bring home gold, and do my country proud. I wouldn’t be half the woman I am today without the love and support of this fine country of ours – how good is it to be an Aussie!”
A ROYAL RELATION
One is the reigning Queen of Denmark and the other the undisputed queen of the pool, and they even share the same middle name – Elizabeth.
Woman’s Day can now reveal that Queen Mary of Denmark and Ariarne have more in common than being proud Tasmanians! “We’re actually cousins in a distant roundabout sort of way.
“One of dad’s cousins is married to Mary’s cousin, which is actually funny considering the running joke that everyone born in Tassie is somehow related!” Arnie laughs.
And when she lines up in the women’s 400m freestyle final in Paris, cheering on from a poolside VIP suite will be cousin Mary and King Frederik.
“It’s been in the works for months, and all had to be hush-hush due to security concerns,” dad Steve explains. “The 400m women’s final is regarded as the race that will stop the nation – and having a King and Queen cheering on our Arnie – it doesn’t get much better!”
And his champion daughter can’t wait. “Knowing Mary and Frederik will be there, along with my closest family and friends and teammates – I’m grateful to have so much support,” says Ariarne.
“Mary may want to hang out after the race, so I hope she’s OK if I duck off and not stay and mingle! I have to rest up for the next morning when I’m back for the 200m freestyle heats – I think she’ll understand!”
And as for mum Robyn, she admits she’s a little nervous about meeting a real King and Queen. “I’ll have to practice my best curtsying!” she laughs.
“I look at Arnie and Mary and I feel an enormous sense of pride to think these two remarkable women have become such fine role models. Not bad for a couple of girls from Tassie!”
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