Ariarne Titmus wins gold over Katie Ledecky in 400 meter freestyle

Star athletes stumble during Olympics opening weekend

Australia's Ariarne Titmus — whose nickname is the "Terminator" — beat reigning champion Katie Ledecky of Team USA in the 400-meter freestyle by two-thirds of a second Monday. Ledecky is the world-record holder in the event, and Titmus is the only swimmer to beat her in a distance race at a major meet.

Ledecky, a five-time Olympic gold medalist and 15-time world championship gold medalist, was in the lead after 300 meters, but Titmus passed her during that lap and held on in the final 100 meters to win the race. Titmus' coach, Dean Boxall, went wild after she won, and cameras caught it. Check out the video below:

This is Ledecky's first Olympic loss but she still has more events at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Here's the complete schedule (all times below are Eastern Time):

Women's 1,500-meter freestyle

  • Heats: Tuesday, July 27, 6:45 a.m.
  • Final: Tuesday, July 27, 11:50 p.m.

Women's 200-meter freestyle

  • Heats: Monday, July 26, 6 a.m.
  • Semifinals: Monday, July 26, 9:30 p.m.
  • Final: Wednesday July 27, 9:40 p.m.

Women's 800-meter freestyle

  • Heats: Thursday, July 29, 6 a.m.
  • Final: Friday, July 30, 9:45 p.m.
Ariarne Titmus of Australia poses with her gold medal from the Women's 400m Freestyle final on Day 3 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 26, 2021. Getty Images
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