Simply extraordinary. Ariarne Titmus became the third woman in history to break the minute and 53 second barrier in the women’s 200 freestyle, thus setting a new world record. The feat was accomplished in Brisbane, home of the Olympic swimming trials.
In particular the oceanica recorded a time of 1:52.23regulating Mollie O’Callaghanprevious record holder with that 1:52.95 of the Fukuoka 2023 World Championships but still able to push himself for the occasion with the impressive time of 1:52.48, thus improving by half a second compared to his best result.
A condition simply stratospheric for Titmuswho had already come close to the world record yesterday in the 400 freestyle, missing it by a whisker. The Australian was already in the pre-Tokyo 2020 trials it had approached the record of the time, owned by Federica Pellegrini (1:52:98). The interesting thing is to notice the way the athlete stopped the clock: Titmus in fact started behind her direct opponent O’Callaghan with a gap of 26.64, and then took the lead at the second 50, thus keeping the pace high until the end.
In view of Paris 2024 Olympics Australia will therefore have the luxury of counting on the two fastest swimmers ever. A situation literally extraordinary.
