Australia's Titmus wins women's Olympic 400m freestyle gold

Ariarne Titmus held off Summer McIntosh and Katie Ledecky to successfully defend her Olympic 400m freestyle title on Saturday with a dominant swim.

The Australian world record holder dominated the race to touch in 3mins 57.49secs ahead of Canada's McIntosh (3:58.37) and decorated American Ledecky (4:00.86)

"Oh my legs are a bit tired, but I'm just relieved more than anything," said Titmus.

"I probably felt the expectation and pressure for this race more than anything in my life to be honest and I'm pretty good at handling the pressure but I've definitely felt it.

"I'm just happy to get the result for myself and I feel so honoured to be a part of the race and be alongside legends like Katie."

𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝟒𝟎𝟎𝐦 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 🥇

Ariarne Titmus finishes ahead of Summer McIntosh and Katie Ledecky who takes her Olympics medal tally to 11 👏#Paris2024 | #CloserToYourChampions pic.twitter.com/XFo8Ge4UpO

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 27, 2024

Titmus, who dethroned Ledecky in Tokyo, came to France in red-hot form after shattering the 200m world record and swimming the second-quickest 400m ever at the Australian trials.

But Ledecky can never be written off and McIntosh was always going to be a threat after snatching Titmus's world record last year before the Australian took it back.

However, it was all Titmus in Paris, who was near world record pace at the half-way mark and comfortably surged home with McIntosh hauling in Ledecky in the final lap to win her first Olympic medal.

Titmus will also swim the 200m and 800m in Paris.

Ledecky has opted out the shorter distance, focusing instead of defending her 800m and 1500m titles.

McIntosh is also skipping the 200m free, instead prioritising the 200m and 400m medley and 200m butterfly.