Article by Steve Larkin.
After slaying the beast, Mollie O’Callaghan wants more.
The Australian swimmer says she’s far from satisfied with her Paris Olympics despite collecting her first gold medal in an individual event at the sporting showcase.
The 20-year-old downed rival and fellow Australian Ariarne Titmus in the women’s 200m freestyle final in Paris.
Titmus took the silver medal in the first Australian one-two finish in an Olympic swim final since 2004 when Ian Thorpe prevailed over Grant Hackett in the men’s 400m freestyle.
O’Callaghan and Titmus train at the same Queensland swim club under coach Dean Boxall, who hatched plans for both swimmers to beat the other and then watched the golden race unfold.
Boxall, world-renowned for his overly exuberant pool-side antics, was relatively subdued at the Paris La Defense Arena. There was no wild-eyed celebrations, instead a restrained double-fist pump as his charges collected gold and silver medals.
“To manage this and have the two fastest girls in the world is a credit to him,” Titmus said.
“It’s not just us. Opening night (in Paris) he contributed to every medal that we won as a coach.
“I just feel very blessed to have him in our corner.”
O’Callaghan dedicated her gold to Boxall, her family — and every Australian.
“This medal is for my support team, my coach, my family — it’s not just for me,” she said.
But she wants more.
On Tuesday, O’Callaghan will return to the Paris pool and race in the 100m freestyle heats and semi-finals, ahead of the gold-medal race the next night.
“I’ve got to stay steady and calm,” O’Callaghan said.
“I have got the 100 free tomorrow so I have got to keep collected.”
O’Callaghan beckoned for Titmus to join her on the gold-medal step of the Paris podium after being presented their medals. The gesture, and the joyous reaction of both swimmers, went some way to dispelling rumours the pair don’t really get along.
“She races like an absolute beast and it’s an honour to train alongside her,” O’Callaghan said of Titmus.
