Medal contenders from around the world gearing up to make a splash in Paris

Katie Ledecky of the United States competes in a preliminary heat for the Women's 400m freestyle on Day One of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium on June 15, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

By Keanan Hemmonsbey

23 Jul 2024

The action in the swimming pool at the Paris La Defense Arena will be from 27 July to 9 August, with 37 medals up for grabs.

There are only four days before swimmers dive into the pool at the Paris La Defense Arena to compete for gold for their countries at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Things start hot and fast on Saturday with four gold medals up for grabs: in the men’s and women’s 4x100m freestyle relays, and the 400m freestyle.

Australia’s Ariarne Titmus is a strong favourite for the women’s 400m freestyle, having captured gold at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, held in 2021.

On that occasion, the then 20-year-old Titmus stunned the US’s swimming great Katie Ledecky — handing Ledecky her first individual loss at the Olympics.

Titmus is a scary prospect at the Olympics as the world record holder has said she has only improved since the previous Games.

Ariarne Titmus competes in the Women’s 800m Freestyle Final during the 2024 Australian Swimming Trials at Brisbane Aquatic Centre on 13 June, 2024 ,in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“I definitely think as an athlete I have grown a lot in three years, and as a person I’ve grown more,” the 23-year-old said.

“Mentally, I’ve got so many learnings from the last Olympic Games.

“I know this is going to be different with big crowds, which I’m very excited for. But I think as an athlete – all together as a whole – I’m in a better position than three years ago.

“I’ve prepared the best I ever have for a swim meet.”

Katie Ledecky of the US competes in a preliminary heat for the Women's 400m freestyle on day one of the 2024 US.Olympic Team Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium on 15 June, 2024 ,in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Ledecky, meanwhile, heading into her fourth Olympic Games needs three medals to become the most successful female swimmer ever and pass compatriot Jenny Thompson’s total of 12 medals.

Returning greats

America’s Caeleb Dressel, who won four gold medals at the Games in Tokyo, is back in the pool and ready to reclaim a few medals after nearly a year’s break from swimming.

The seven-time gold medalist will try to defend his 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly individual titles in Paris, although he did not qualify for the 100m freestyle despite being the Olympic champion — he placed third at the American trials.

Read more: Murray says Paris Games will be final event of storied career

While Dressel might not be the swimmer he was three years ago, having struggled with mental health problems, the 27-year-old is committed to fighting for a few more gold medals.

“I’m really good at racing,” he said. “You put me in a race, I will make it close, as close as I possibly can, even if I have to try to kill myself to get there.”

Dressel is one of only two active swimmers, alongside Hungary’s Kristóf Milák, and four retired swimmers ever to have swum under 50 seconds in the 100m butterfly, so despite not reaching the heights he did before, his otherworldly talent and drive should be good enough to put him in contention for the gold.

Britain’s Adam Peaty is also returning to the pool after suffering with mental health problems, as well alcoholism.

Peaty has three Olympic gold medals. Two in the 100m breaststroke and the 4x100m mixed medley at the 2021 Tokyo Games, and the other in the 100m breaststroke at the 2016 Rio Games.

The 29-year-old will arrive in Paris on the brink of equalling American great Michael Phelps as the only male swimmers to have won the same event at three successive Olympics.

The Brit will face stiff competition from China’s Qin Haiyang to wear that gold medal around his neck.

Best chance

France have their best chance of a home gold medal in the men’s 400m Individual medley with Léon Marchand a good few seconds faster than the next quickest in the pool.

In 2023, the 22-year-old broke Michael Phelps’s final individual world record with a mark of 4:02.50 at the World Championships.

In the women’s 400m Individual Medley, 17-year-old Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh is a shoo-in for the gold.

McIntosh has shattered the world record twice in the past two years, setting a mark of 4:24.38, which is two seconds quicker than the second-fastest woman in history.

South Africa will have seven swimmers in the pool at the Olympics with Tatjana Smith (nee Schoenmaker) a firm favourite, alongside America’s Kate Douglass, for the gold medal in the 200m breaststroke.

Smith broke the world record and claimed gold in the event in Tokyo three years ago. She will also be fighting for a spot on the podium in the 100m breaststroke, although her competition is a lot more challenging in the two-lap swim. DM

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Returning greats

Best chance