O’Callaghan had the fastest time in the world this year with a 1:53.57, while Titmus’ best of 2024 was 1:55.38. But Titmus was quickest through Wednesday morning’s heats (1:55.50), setting up a dramatic showdown with her fierce rival and training partner, who qualified as next best (1:55.68).
Shayna Jack, hugging Ariarne Titmus after the race, will finally go to an Olympics as part of the relay team.Credit: Getty Images
The pair, who are both coached by Dean Boxall, were neck-and-neck in the final for two laps before Jack turned at the halfway point ahead and never looked back.
“It’s one thing having that belief, and it’s another thing actually doing it and putting races together that are world class and competitive,” Titmus said. “The world of swimming never stops, and there’s always people who are going to be swimming fast. You can never just expect that gold medals are coming.
“It felt like a good 200 [in that] I pushed, but I didn’t really fade. I think maybe the difference here is I’m sleeping in my own bed.”
O’Callaghan also swam well inside world-record time, but was visibly devastated afterwards.
“I’ll take anything at this point,” the 20-year-old said. “I’m still learning. I’m younger and I’m not as experienced as the other girls.
“My goggles were quite foggy so I couldn’t see too much … heading into this I was not in a good place. I couldn’t really sleep last night.”
Lani Pallister, who joined Titmus in qualifying for the 400m freestyle on the opening night, placed third, with Brianna Throssell, Shayna Jack and Jamie Perkins rounding out the top six.
The top six will be given priority selection for the 200m freestyle relay, an event that saw Australia win bronze in Tokyo and gold last year at Fukuoka in world-record time.
The result was extra sweet for Jack, who had been seeking to make her first Olympic team after serving a two-year doping ban for unknowingly ingesting the banned substance Ligandrol and missing out on the Tokyo Games. The 25-year-old was “a little bit lost for words”.
Cam McEvoy and the men’s 50m freestyle field off the blocks.Credit: Getty Images
“There was probably a point where I thought I didn’t want to be an Olympian any more,” Jack said. “This week is about me and what I wanted to achieve since I was a young girl.
“I may not have ever returned to the pool in general, so I know every time I stand behind those blocks I fought for my position to be there.”
Meanwhile, Winnington upset Short in the men’s 800m freestyle to mirror their one-two in the 400m freestyle two nights ago. The 16-lap event is generally Short’s happy place, but the 20-year-old’s kick in the final 200m faded as his gastro bug caught up with him.
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So too did an energetic Winnington, who was the only swimmer to post a qualifier (7:44.90). Short (7:46.52) did not meet Swimming Australia’s benchmark, but did satisfy the World Aquatics qualifying time and may well be granted discretionary entry given he is already on the team through the 400m.
“Sam’s quite not at his best here, he’s had a pretty rough couple of weeks and it’s showing,” Winnington said. “But in six weeks’ time it’s a very different story.”
In six weeks’ time the story for McEvoy will be one of longevity after the 30-year-old reigning world champion blitzed the men’s 50m freestyle field in 21.35 seconds to confirm his place at a fourth Games, joined by second-placed Ben Armbruster (21.84).
“It’s special because you could almost fill a book with legendary Aussie male names in the sport,” McEvoy said. “To have the privilege of having that title under my belt, having that type of longevity, ultimately it just makes me proud.
“It shines a light on the persistence and perseverance I’ve had, particularly over the last seven years … I’ll try and do my best to honour it over in Paris and we’ll see what happens with LA [in 2028] to come.”