The showdown that wasn’t: Ariarne Titmus easily bests Katie Ledecky in hotly anticipated rematch

The race that everyone turned out to see never really got going.

The race that everyone turned out to see never really got going. The women’s 400-meter freestyle race, billed as a rematch between rivals Ariarne Titmus of Australia and Katie Ledecky of the US, was one of the most hotly anticipated contests of the first full day of competition in the Paris Games. Titmus had defeated Ledecky three years ago in Tokyo, handing the American her first ever individual Olympic defeat. While the 400m is not Ledecky’s best race, she finished ahead of Titmus in a semifinal heat. American hopes were raised as anticipation built in La Défense Arena, just outside of Paris. But the matchup wasn’t really much of a contest at all. Titmus ended Ledecky’s hopes of revenge, dominating the race and finishing almost a full second ahead of Canada’s Summer McIntosh, who took silver. Ledecky finished a distant third, about three seconds off the pace. “I’m just happy to get the result for myself, and I’m so honored to be part of the race and be alongside legends like Katie,” Titmus told reporters post-race. “I look up to her so much as an athlete, and it is certainly not a rivalry beyond the races. I really respect her as a person, her longevity in the sport. It’s nice to catch up and have a chat.”