Ariarne Titmus dominated rivals Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh to retain her Olympic 400m freestyle title on Saturday as German Lukas Maertens surged to the men's gold on day one in the pool in Paris.

The decorated American Ledecky was gunning for revenge after the Australian dethroned her in Tokyo three years ago, but it was Titmus who again prevailed in an electric atmosphere at La Defense Arena.

The 23-year-old world record holder led from start to finish to hit the wall in 3mins 57.49 secs and remain unbeaten over the distance since 2019.

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Ledecky had to settle for bronze after fading badly over the final lap, adding to her cache of 10 Olympic medals, seven of them gold.

Canadian teenager McIntosh grabbed silver after reeling in the American great to clinch her first Olympic medal, after coming fourth in Tokyo as a 14-year-old.

"I know what it takes to be a champion and I know how hard it is racing in these circumstances," said Titmus, who came to Paris after swimming the second fastest time in history last month.&nbsp;

"An Olympic Games -- it's not really like anything else.

"I probably felt the expectation and pressure for this race more than anything in my life, to be honest."

It was billed as a blockbuster showdown, with Titmus, Ledecky and McIntosh sharing the 27 fastest times in history.

Known as "The Terminator", Titmus will also defend her 200m title on the back of shattering the world record last month, while trying to prevent Ledecky winning a fourth straight gold over 800m.

Ledecky has dropped the 200m from her schedule but will be a strong favourite over 800m and 1500m, races she has long dominated.

"It feels good. It's always good to get a medal for Team USA," said Ledecky, 27. &nbsp;"I wanted to be a little faster, but I can't complain with a medal. I knew it would be tough."

McIntosh is also skipping the 200 free, instead prioritising the 200-400m medley and 200m butterfly.

<h2>Overwhelmed</h2>

Maertens was equally untouchable in the men's 400m, under world record pace for much of the race before tiring in the final stretch to touch in 3:41.78 ahead of Australia's Elijah Winnington and South Korea's Kim Woo-min.

"Means everything to me –- you can see my progress in performance... I am extremely happy and just overwhelmed," said Maertens.

"I can't put into words what I am feeling now."

The German arrived in Paris more than a second quicker than anyone else this season after clocking the best time since 2012 in April, just 0.26 seconds away from Paul Biedermann's super-suited world record.

Australia again proved unstoppable in the women's 4x100m freestyle relay to remain undefeated at the Olympics since 2012.

Boasting a formidable line-up of Mollie O'Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris, they stormed home in 3:28.92, the second quickest in history behind their own world record.

The United States took silver and China bronze.

Anchored by Caeleb Dressel, the United States took out the men's 4x100m relay ahead of Australia and Italy to continue their long domination of the event.

In semi-final racing, Adam Peaty posted 58.86 in the 100m breaststroke to lead the way in his bid to become only the second man to win three straight gold in the same individual event after Michael Phelps.

Back in top form after a break for mental health troubles, Peaty has lowered the world record five times over an extraordinary career.

Key rival Qin Haiyang, reportedly among the 23 Chinese swimmers embroiled in a doping scandal that rocked the sport this year, was second quickest in 58.93.

American world record holder Gretchen Walsh was in control of the women's 100m butterfly semi-finals, scorching to the third fastest time ever with an eye-catching 55.38.

The 21-year-old shattered Sarah Sjoestroem's eight-year-old world best at the US trials and now owns the three top times ever swum. Her teammate Torri Huske was second fastest in 56.00 ahead of Tokyo silver medallist Zhang Yufei, also allegedly among the swimmers caught up in the same doping scandal as Qin.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Ariarne Titmus dominated rivals Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh to retain her Olympic 400m freestyle title on Saturday as German Lukas Maertens surged to the men's gold on day one in the pool in Paris.

Ariarne Titmus dominated rivals Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh to retain her Olympic 400m freestyle title on Saturday as German Lukas Maertens surged to the men's gold on day one in the pool in Paris. The decorated American Ledecky was gunning for revenge after the Australian dethroned her in Tokyo three years ago, but it was Titmus who again prevailed in an electric atmosphere at La Defense Arena. The 23-year-old world record holder led from start to finish to hit the wall in 3mins 57.49 secs and remain unbeaten over the distance since 2019. ALSO READ: Paris Olympics 2024: Palestinian athlete wears shirt depicting 'attack on children' during opening ceremony Ledecky had to settle for bronze after fading badly over the final lap, adding to her cache of 10 Olympic medals, seven of them gold. Canadian teenager McIntosh grabbed silver after reeling in the American great to clinch her first Olympic medal, after coming fourth in Tokyo as a 14-year-old. "I know what it takes to be a champion and I know how hard it is racing in these circumstances," said Titmus, who came to Paris after swimming the second fastest time in history last month. "An Olympic Games -- it's not really like anything else. "I probably felt the expectation and pressure for this race more than anything in my life, to be honest." It was billed as a blockbuster showdown, with Titmus, Ledecky and McIntosh sharing the 27 fastest times in history. Known as "The Terminator", Titmus will also defend her 200m title on the back of shattering the world record last month, while trying to prevent Ledecky winning a fourth straight gold over 800m. Ledecky has dropped the 200m from her schedule but will be a strong favourite over 800m and 1500m, races she has long dominated. "It feels good. It's always good to get a medal for Team USA," said Ledecky, 27. "I wanted to be a little faster, but I can't complain with a medal. I knew it would be tough." McIntosh is also skipping the 200 free, instead prioritising the 200-400m medley and 200m butterfly. Overwhelmed Maertens was equally untouchable in the men's 400m, under world record pace for much of the race before tiring in the final stretch to touch in 3:41.78 ahead of Australia's Elijah Winnington and South Korea's Kim Woo-min. "Means everything to me –- you can see my progress in performance... I am extremely happy and just overwhelmed," said Maertens. "I can't put into words what I am feeling now." The German arrived in Paris more than a second quicker than anyone else this season after clocking the best time since 2012 in April, just 0.26 seconds away from Paul Biedermann's super-suited world record. Australia again proved unstoppable in the women's 4x100m freestyle relay to remain undefeated at the Olympics since 2012. Boasting a formidable line-up of Mollie O'Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris, they stormed home in 3:28.92, the second quickest in history behind their own world record. The United States took silver and China bronze. Anchored by Caeleb Dressel, the United States took out the men's 4x100m relay ahead of Australia and Italy to continue their long domination of the event. In semi-final racing, Adam Peaty posted 58.86 in the 100m breaststroke to lead the way in his bid to become only the second man to win three straight gold in the same individual event after Michael Phelps. Back in top form after a break for mental health troubles, Peaty has lowered the world record five times over an extraordinary career. Key rival Qin Haiyang, reportedly among the 23 Chinese swimmers embroiled in a doping scandal that rocked the sport this year, was second quickest in 58.93. American world record holder Gretchen Walsh was in control of the women's 100m butterfly semi-finals, scorching to the third fastest time ever with an eye-catching 55.38. The 21-year-old shattered Sarah Sjoestroem's eight-year-old world best at the US trials and now owns the three top times ever swum. Her teammate Torri Huske was second fastest in 56.00 ahead of Tokyo silver medallist Zhang Yufei, also allegedly among the swimmers caught up in the same doping scandal as Qin. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Paris Olympics 2024: Ariarne Titmus retains gold in 400m freestyle as Katie Ledecky settles for bronze

American great Katie Ledecky edged defending champion Ariarne Titmus to be quickest into the Olympic 400m freestyle final Saturday, setting the scene for a titanic battle for gold. The veteran, who was stunned by the Australian in Tokyo three years ago, touched in 4mins 02.19secs at a packed La Defense Arena ahead of an evening final on day one of the nine-day meet.

Racing in the same heat, Titmus went out hard and led through 300m before Ledecky came storming home to win by a fingertip.

Titmus hit the wall in 4:02.46, well outside her 3:55.38 world record as both swimmers conserved energy.

New Zealand rising star and current world champion Erika Fairweather was third quickest in 4:02.55, a fraction clear of Canadian Summer McIntosh, who snatched the world record last year before Titmus took it back.

"Good to walk out to a full stadium for our prelims race," said Ledecky, who will also swim the 800m and 1500m in Paris but has dropped the 200m.

"It felt very similar to our Olympic trials a few weeks back, so I'm excited to see the finals atmosphere tonight as well and just happy to get a good first one under the belt."

Titmus said the race helped "blow the cobwebs out" and denied coming second gave Ledecky any psychological advantage.

"I don't think so. It's a heats swim," said the Australian, who broke the 200m freestyle world record and swam the second quickest 400m ever at the Australian trials last month.

"The only job for me was to get in the middle lanes (for the final) and I tried to conserve as much as I could."

Lukas Maertens topped the times in the men's 400m freestyle heats in 3:44.13 ahead of Brazil's Guilherme Costa.

The German is red-hot favourite for Saturday's final, arriving in Paris more than a second quicker than anyone else this season after clocking the best time since 2012 in April.

Australian pair Elijah Winnington and Sam Short, both former world champions, were fourth and fifth respectively with current world champion Kim Woo-min of South Korea seventh.

<h2>Nothing to prove</h2>

Britain's Adam Peaty clocked a comfortable 59.18 heat swim to launch the defence of his 100m breaststroke crown as he bids to become only the second man to win three straight gold in the same individual event after Michael Phelps.

Dutchman Caspar Corbeau (59.04) led the way into the semi-finals.

"I was like I don't really have to push anything too far, I don't have to prove anything," said Peaty, who is back in top form after a break for mental health troubles.

"We can't win the battle now, we have to win it tomorrow."

Peaty has lowered the world record five times and is arguably the greatest ever over the distance.

His main rival is expected to be China's Qin Haiyang, who burst on the scene in Peaty's absence at last year's world championships by sweeping the 50-100-200m titles.

But Qin, reportedly among the 23 Chinese swimmers embroiled in a doping scandal that rocked the sport this year, was only ninth quickest in 59.58.

In the day's other heats, American world record holder Gretchen Walsh was fourth fastest into the women's 100m butterfly semi-finals in 56.75.

The 21-year-old is at her first Olympics after shattering Sarah Sjoestroem's eight-year-old world best at the US trials to position her as the woman to beat.

But it was Tokyo silver medallist Zhang Yufei, also allegedly among the swimmers caught up in the same doping scandal as Qin, who touched first in 56.50.

Japan's Mizuki Hirai was second fastest ahead of American Torri Huske. Australia's Emma McKeon, the queen of the pool in Tokyo with seven medals, came fifth and Canadian defending champion Maggie McNeil seventh.

Meanwhile, Australia's world-leading women's 4x100m freestyle relay team stormed through their heat in 3:31.57, nearly two seconds clear of the United States.

Undefeated at the Olympics since 2012, they have owned the world record since 2014.

China was fastest into the men's 4x100m freestyle relay final ahead of Australia and Britain.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

American great Katie Ledecky edged defending champion Ariarne Titmus to be quickest into the Olympic 400m freestyle final Saturday, setting the scene for a titanic battle for gold.

American great Katie Ledecky edged defending champion Ariarne Titmus to be quickest into the Olympic 400m freestyle final Saturday, setting the scene for a titanic battle for gold. The veteran, who was stunned by the Australian in Tokyo three years ago, touched in 4mins 02.19secs at a packed La Defense Arena ahead of an evening final on day one of the nine-day meet. Racing in the same heat, Titmus went out hard and led through 300m before Ledecky came storming home to win by a fingertip. Titmus hit the wall in 4:02.46, well outside her 3:55.38 world record as both swimmers conserved energy. New Zealand rising star and current world champion Erika Fairweather was third quickest in 4:02.55, a fraction clear of Canadian Summer McIntosh, who snatched the world record last year before Titmus took it back. "Good to walk out to a full stadium for our prelims race," said Ledecky, who will also swim the 800m and 1500m in Paris but has dropped the 200m. "It felt very similar to our Olympic trials a few weeks back, so I'm excited to see the finals atmosphere tonight as well and just happy to get a good first one under the belt." Titmus said the race helped "blow the cobwebs out" and denied coming second gave Ledecky any psychological advantage. "I don't think so. It's a heats swim," said the Australian, who broke the 200m freestyle world record and swam the second quickest 400m ever at the Australian trials last month. "The only job for me was to get in the middle lanes (for the final) and I tried to conserve as much as I could." Lukas Maertens topped the times in the men's 400m freestyle heats in 3:44.13 ahead of Brazil's Guilherme Costa. The German is red-hot favourite for Saturday's final, arriving in Paris more than a second quicker than anyone else this season after clocking the best time since 2012 in April. Australian pair Elijah Winnington and Sam Short, both former world champions, were fourth and fifth respectively with current world champion Kim Woo-min of South Korea seventh. Nothing to prove Britain's Adam Peaty clocked a comfortable 59.18 heat swim to launch the defence of his 100m breaststroke crown as he bids to become only the second man to win three straight gold in the same individual event after Michael Phelps. Dutchman Caspar Corbeau (59.04) led the way into the semi-finals. "I was like I don't really have to push anything too far, I don't have to prove anything," said Peaty, who is back in top form after a break for mental health troubles. "We can't win the battle now, we have to win it tomorrow." Peaty has lowered the world record five times and is arguably the greatest ever over the distance. His main rival is expected to be China's Qin Haiyang, who burst on the scene in Peaty's absence at last year's world championships by sweeping the 50-100-200m titles. But Qin, reportedly among the 23 Chinese swimmers embroiled in a doping scandal that rocked the sport this year, was only ninth quickest in 59.58. In the day's other heats, American world record holder Gretchen Walsh was fourth fastest into the women's 100m butterfly semi-finals in 56.75. The 21-year-old is at her first Olympics after shattering Sarah Sjoestroem's eight-year-old world best at the US trials to position her as the woman to beat. But it was Tokyo silver medallist Zhang Yufei, also allegedly among the swimmers caught up in the same doping scandal as Qin, who touched first in 56.50. Japan's Mizuki Hirai was second fastest ahead of American Torri Huske. Australia's Emma McKeon, the queen of the pool in Tokyo with seven medals, came fifth and Canadian defending champion Maggie McNeil seventh. Meanwhile, Australia's world-leading women's 4x100m freestyle relay team stormed through their heat in 3:31.57, nearly two seconds clear of the United States. Undefeated at the Olympics since 2012, they have owned the world record since 2014. China was fastest into the men's 4x100m freestyle relay final ahead of Australia and Britain. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Katie Ledecky sets up 400m showdown with champion Titmus after record run in Paris Olympics 2024

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Paris Olympics 2024: Ariarne Titmus retains gold in 400m freestyle as Katie Ledecky settles for bronze

Katie Ledecky sets up 400m showdown with champion Titmus after record run in Paris Olympics 2024