Titmus sets a 200-m freestyle world record

Brisbane

Ariarne Titmus set a world record in the women's 200-meter freestyle on Wednesday at Australia's Olympic swimming trials. Titmus finished in 1 minute, 52.23 seconds in the final, taking almost two-thirds of a second off Mollie O'Callaghan's world mark of 1:52.85 set at last year's world championships.

O'Callaghan placed second at the Australian titles in 1:52.48. Titmus, the Olympic champion in the 200- and 400-meter freestyle events, now holds the world records in both events. “Honestly, the world record is a bonus,” she said. “I'm happy to finally put together a swim that I know I'm capable of, and it's exciting to do it in my home town, in front of a home-town crowd.” Titmus and O'Callaghan both work with the same coach, Dean Boxall. “We really don't see what each other is doing in training. We are very separate — she trains for the sprint events, I train for middle distance,” Titmus said. “Looking at a world record, I don't look at who has it. I look at the time."

Titmus said a record wasn't “on my radar” so close to the Paris Olympics, which start July 26. “I just wanted to put together a great swim, and I have the chance to do it again in Paris," she said.