Sky’s the limit for Titmus

AUSTRALIA’S new golden girl in the pool Ariarne Titmus has the potential to carve out a career similar to American superstar Katie Ledecky, according to three-time Olympian Nicole Livingstone.

Titmus was the story of the Commonwealth Games after capturing the 400m and 800m freestyle double, as well as winning gold in the 4x200m relay and silver in the 200m freestyle.

At just 17 there is still plenty of scope for improvement in the Tasmanian, who is now based in Queensland working under coach Dean Boxall.

Livingstone — who competed at the 1988, ’92 and ’96 Olympics, winning two bronze medals and a silver and Commonwealth Games gold medals — is now the AFL’s head of women’s football.

She was in Hobart yesterday for the launch of the TSLW season but keeps an eye on her former sport and believes Titmus has the tools to match it with the world’s best distance freestyler.

Ledecky, still only 21, is a fivetime Olympic gold medallist and 14-time world champion — the most in history for a female swimmer.

“To win the 400m-800m freestyle double at the Commonwealth Games was a remarkable achievement, particularly as a 17-year-old,” Livingstone said.

“I think there are great things for her … I’m really looking forward to her racing Katie Ledecky at the Pan Pacs in August and I think she will give Katie a good run for her money.

“It is hard to say what age someone like Ariarne would hit her peak, but she has a great coach in Dean Boxall up in Queensland.

“You could see a very similar career to someone like Katie Ledecky, where she is actually performing for the next 10 years, which would be very exciting.”