Ariarne Titmus drops massive news on swimming world after move with boyfriend
Titmus revealed after the Paris Olympics last year - where she won two gold and a silver - that she wanted to take a break for at least a year. With no concrete plan for a return to the pool being made public, there had been some speculation that Titmus might be considering walking away for good.
But speaking on SEN radio on Wednesday in an interview with Gerard Whateley, the four-time Olympic champion said she's definitely coming back and will be making her return to swimming "in a couple of months' time". She said: "I miss the sense of routine. My life at the moment has been all over the place.
"You miss that sense of routine and seeing your coach every day. Dean (Boxall) and I have such a close bond. It's a really rare thing to be working so close to someone and working towards a goal that's so particular."
Titmus said she'll "definitely" be competing at the 2028 Olympics in LA if all goes to plan, while also revealing she's only been in the water about five times since Paris. The 24-year-old has spent the last 10 months exploring what she wants to do with her career post-swimming, making multiple appearances in the media and doing a number of speaking events.
"It's pretty much been a total break," she said. "I've been trying to keep as fit as possible. I don't want to let myself go too much.
"Leading into Paris I'd been vocal with [coach] Dean Boxall and Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor that I needed a break away from the pool of about 12 months. It's been non-stop since I first made the national team when I was 16.
"Every year it's been the same where you're scared to take a break and lose your form. I just needed some time away for myself and to truly explore me beyond swimming. I really wanted to take the time just to spend with my family and friends, and I never want to be caught in the trap of retiring one day and not knowing what I want to do."
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Titmus' absence from the pool was glaringly apparent last month when she was in Madrid for the Laureus World Sports Awards while her teammates were competing at the national championships in Brisbane. On Wednesday she opened up on what it was like to attend the awards with boyfriend Mack and brush shoulders with some of the most famous athletes in the world.
"Becoming Olympic champion has exposed me to some opportunities I would never have had," she said. "I've tried to lean into those as much as possible. [Laureus] is basically like the Oscars of sport.
"When I had the opportunity to go over I just said to myself 'I have to go', because you never know when you'll be nominated for another one. It was honestly pinch yourself stuff, just to be around legends who are still competing like (Novak) Djokovic and (Carlos) Alcaraz. Rafa (Nadal) was there, Kelly Slater.
"But also legends of the past who I never thought I would ever cross paths with. The night before at a dinner I had Boris Becker on my table. And asking him questions that you would never have the opportunity to ask otherwise. I will remember that for the rest of my life."
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