News splash: Straight from the Paris La Defense Arena is that Katie Ledecky has officially opened her medal haul! But did the 4-time 400m world champion bring home a glistening gold? Well, as per the timings, Ledecky fizzled out, while her Australian rival, Ariane Titmus, bagged the top of the podium rank. Happily squashed between the two on the table was Canadian swimmer and former 400m world record holder, Summer McIntosh.

As per NBC Olympics and Paralympics’ X post, Ledecky has brought home the bronze medal, clocking a 4:00:86 time in the water. Whereas, McIntosh was a tad quicker, clinching the silver in merely 3:58:37. While, sitting atop was the 2023 World Champion, Titmus, with a 3:57:49. But, while Ledecky ended her 4-year-long wait to surpass Titmus earlier in the heat 3, she fell short in the finale. And that had the internet going into a frenzy!

Taking to X, many of the swimming fanatics lashed out at Ledecky’s loss to her Australian counterpart. One of the users penned, “Hard pill to swallow, imagine Katie losing to her biggest rival on the biggest stage.” Indeed, the Australian had eclipsed Ledecky’s time at the Tokyo Games too in the same category, ascending to the throne of the reigning Olympic champion. And on the all-important Paris battleground, this performance had one of the fans commenting that, “Titmus made Ledecky look like a novice.” 

Interestingly, as the tussle for ranks continues between the two, Ledecky, the 7-time Olympic gold medalist had once mentioned, how “Those two [Titmus and McIntosh] have continued to raise the game; raise my game.” But do the fans have the same notion in mind? Well, they may be thinking that the veteran is being overpowered.

Fans may believe that an early bow may have fired Katie Ledecky’s Australian rival

Post the race, several fans took to twitter to present their take on this battle for glory. A keen observer commented, “Ledecky way way off. This race will give Titmus all the fire power she needs to at least challenge for gold in the 800m. Let’s go!!!” At Paris, Ledecky has yet another face off with Titmus, in the 800m freestyle category. Where the stakes are high for the USA luminary. If she gets a gold in Paris in 800m freestyle, that would make her a four-peater in this Olympics category, equally Michael Phelps. But, a fan believes that Titmus would be fired after this victory, which adds to the thrill of the contest.

As opposed to the hopes of a nail-biting race, some believed that Ledecky did not look in great form right from the beginning of the finale. They wrote,“Ledecky never looked in it. I really thought the final 100 we were gonna see Titmus and McIntosh tire and she was going to close the gap but it wasn’t even close to happening. Hell, she came close to losing a medal spot entirely. I am shook.”  

On the other hand, some were in near disbelief given the swimmer’s elite status. A fan added, “Bronze!! Ledecky!!! Girl!!!! What’s going on???? Well, at the 2023 Fukoka World Championships, Titmus bested McIntosh’s timing, to reset the 400m world record at 3:55.38, exerting her dominance in the category. It was more like hitting two targets with one dart. As, she also defeated Katie Ledecky, who finished second with 3:58.73. And now, Ledecky trails behind yet again. Which possibly led to a fan chiming in with, “Katie Ledecky looked slow as f**k. Ariarne Titmus is unbelievable damn #SummerOlympics.” 

As spectators, what is your take on this rivalry? Who will reign supreme in the next leg of the swimming events at the Paris Olympics: Katie Ledecky or Ariarne Timus? Let us know below.