Ariarne Titmus Dealing With COVID; Uncertain of Duel in Pool Battle With Katie Ledecky

by Swimming World Editorial Staff

04 June 2022, 07:06am

Ariarne Titmus Dealing With COVID; Uncertain of Duel in Pool Battle With Katie Ledecky

Just a couple of weeks removed from setting the world record in the 400-meter freestyle at the Australian Championships, Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus is dealing with COVID-19. The middle-distance star recently felt ill during a photo shoot with several fellow National Team members and was forced to leave the event early.

Titmus has decided to skip this month’s World Championships in Budapest and is isolating while she deals with the effects of COVID. Titmus is planning to compete in the Commonwealth Games in late July and early August, with the competition scheduled for Birmingham, England. Other Aussie athletes attending the photo shoot included Emma McKeon, Zac Stubblety-Cook, Mollie O’Callaghan and Elijah Winnington.

“Those other athletes who attended the launch are following the relevant precautions as set out by the Team Doctor and all have returned negative tests,” Swimming Australia said in a press release.

Titmus also indicated she has not made a decision regarding her participation in August’s Duel in the Pool, the clash between Australia and the United States. The reincarnation of the competition could offer the next meeting between Titmus and American star Katie Ledecky, whose world record Titmus broke in the 400 freestyle.

“Still deciding on Duel in the Pool,” Titmus said. “Definitely it’s something I’d love to do. I know people are looking to see if I’ll be racing Katie. It’s always a very highly anticipated battle. I’ve had to learn how to race on my own and whenever I race her I feel like I’m actually in a race. So I love that, but the battle with her comes with external pressure. Last year was huge for me, mentally too, a lot of pressure around my races. I didn’t really want to have to deal with that pressure again (by competing at the World Championships).”

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Nathan

1 year ago

These test results that eliminate people from the competition(in all sports) are a conspiracy at this point.

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Andy

1 year ago

Reply to  Nathan

A conspiracy organised by shape-shifting reptiles who want to control what happens in world swimming.

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