Swim star a class act
OLYMPIAN Ariarne Titmus was given a hero’s welcome when she met students at her former school in Launceston on Wednesday.
Returning to St Patrick’s College, dual gold medal winner Titmus said she hoped she could inspire students to follow their dreams.
About 1000 students attended the assembly. Titmus said it was an amazing reception and she was proud to have been part of the community.
“When Tony, my previous teacher, was talking about me I was getting a bit teary because I trained with his daughter Olivia when we were eight years old and for him to really know me as a person before all this happened, it’s nice they remember who I truly am as well,” she said.
“I am really the same person I was when I was here really, I haven’t changed much.”
St Patrick’s College swim coach Tony Cullen said Titmus was very driven and competitive from a young age.
“I have no doubt Arnie would have put the work in not only when she was up in Queensland, but I saw her put the work in here,” he said.
St Patrick’s College swim captain Jade Nichols said it was inspiring to see what Titmus was able to achieve.
“I believe there are a lot of swimmers in Launceston who have a lot of potential. A lot of swimmers, after watching her do the Olympics and win two gold medals, have got more motivated and inspired,” she said.
Asked if there was potentially a future Olympic champion at the school, Titmus responded; “You never know, you never know where someone is going to end up.”
On Tuesday, Titmus helped lead a swimming clinic at the Launceston Aquatic Centre for 80 of Tasmania’s Junior Excellence swimmers.
She will receive the key to the city in a ceremony on Friday, becoming the first female and the youngest person to receive the honour.
The 50m competition pool at the aquatic centre will be named in her honour, and a swimming scholarship be established by the Launceston City Council.
Titmus is originally from Launceston, but relocated with her family to Queensland in her early teens to focus on her training and elite-level competition.