Ariarne Titmus successfully defended her Olympic title in the women's 400m freestyle at the Paris Olympics, dominating the race with a time of 3:57.49. The competition was highly anticipated, featuring titans Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh, but Ledecky faded to third place, earning bronze, while McIntosh secured silver with a time of 3:58.37. Titmus's victory marks her as the first woman in nearly a century to defend this title, joining the legendary Dawn Fraser as the only Australian woman to achieve back-to-back Olympic golds in swimming. This race, dubbed the 'Race of the Century', highlighted the intense rivalry among the three swimmers, all of whom have held world records in the event. Titmus's triumph solidifies her status as a leading figure in Australian swimming as she prepares for the upcoming 200m freestyle event. The race showcased Titmus's growth from an upstart to a seasoned champion, as she continues to challenge the dominance of American swimming.