Ariarne Titmus in tears as Kaylee McKeown caught up in huge disqualification drama (2024)

Kaylee McKeown added to her growing Olympic Games medal tally after claiming bronze in the 200m medley, following the controversial disqualification of American rival Alex Walsh. It came on a dramatic day at the pool in Paris, where Ariarne Titmus broke down in emotional post-race scenes after claiming silver behind American legend Katie Ledecky in the 800m freestyle.

There was drama before McKeown's 200m medley as well, with her Aussie teammate Ella Ramsay a withdrawal after testing positive to Covid. But it was far from the biggest storyline of the race, with America's Walsh touching the wall at the finish in third but being disqualified from the race for for not correctly completing the backstroke leg.

FINA rules state that for the backstroke leg "the swimmer must touch the wall while on the back". But Walsh was captured on race footage turning onto her stomach to face the bottom of the pool before she touched the wall to start the next leg, resulting in the disqualification.

It meant McKeown, who touched in fourth place was elevated to the bronze medal position. It came after Walsh broke free to take the lead after the halfway point of the race, before Canadian superstar Summer McIntosh stormed home to capture her third gold medal in Paris, with American Kate Douglass claiming the silver.

McKeown then backed up her medley relay swim by helping the Dolphins claim another bronze medal in the 4x100m mixed relay. The team of McKeown, Josh Yong, Matt Temple and Mollie O'Callaghan finished third behind the world record-breaking United States and silver medallists China. McKeown now has two Olympic Games bronze medals to go with her four gold.

Ariarne Titmus claims silver behind US legend Katie Ledecky

Titmus also added to her medal tally after pushing US superstar Ledecky just about all the way in the final of the 800m freestyle, before fighting back tears in an emotional post-race interview. They appeared to be tears of relief more than anything for Titmus, who should be incredibly proud of the way she pushed Ledecky in an event the American has dominated like few others.

The Aussie stalked Ledecky for the intial 600m before the American finished with a trademark to swim further into Olympic legend. Ledecky touched in eight minutes 11.04 seconds to complete an astonishing fourth-consecutive Olympic Games gold medal in the event - 12 years to the day since she first won the 800m freestyle at the 2012 Olympics.

The American's incredible feat came after an equally impressive swim for Titmus, who clocked a new personal best with her time of 8:12.29. That saw the 23-year-old become the third-fastest woman in history over the distance as she finish her Paris Games campaign with a remarkable two gold medals and two silvers. And the emotions came spilling out for the Tasmania-born Queenslander in her pool-side interview a short time later.

Ariarne Titmus full of emotion after gruelling Olympics

“I’m absolutely buggered,” Titmus told Channel 9. “I’m so proud of my effort tonight. It’s my first PB of the week, I haven’t had a PB in the 800m since the last Olympics, so I’m stoked with that. I’m proud of the way I put myself out there and took it to Katie.

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"She is just a champ and I have the most respect for her out of any athlete I’ve ever competed against. I know how hard it is to go back-to-back, and to be on top of the world in the same event for over 12 years is just remarkable. I feel so honoured to be a part of her story and hopefully it made her a better athlete as well. I knew at the end of eight days it would be tough, but I wanted to leave it all out there and go home from these Games with no regrets."

The tears started flowing for Titmus when she spoke of the pressure that the Olympics brings, with the Aussie relieved she can finally "relax" after a gruelling campaign. “This is the first time I’ve really let my emotions out,” Titmus said. I felt so much pressure coming into these Games to hit my expectations, but I know a lot of people at home were willing and wanting me to win at these Games and defend my titles. I can finally relax. It’s been a big week.”

with AAP