Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus has shared insights into her recovery journey following ovarian surgery and its potential impact on her bid to defend Olympic titles at Paris 2024.
The two-time Olympic champion underwent a successful surgery in September to remove two benign tumors from her right ovary, a discovery made incidentally during an MRI scan for a hip injury. Titmus made her return to competitive swimming on Sunday at the Queensland state championships, finishing second in the 200m freestyle final.
Speaking to reporters after the race, Titmus acknowledged the challenges she faces in catching up on training, stating, "I'm really playing catch-up at the moment, trying to put in as much work as I can, so I'm pretty buggered racing here."
In September, Titmus revealed her medical issues in an Instagram post, expressing her initial fear that the surgery might impact her future ability to have children. The decision to share her diagnosis publicly was driven by a desire to prevent the news from leaking into the public domain.
Titmus, 23, emphasized the importance of starting conversations about women's health issues, saying, "I have to use my platform, not just as a swimmer."
Expressing gratitude that doctors identified the issue in time, Titmus described the timing of the surgery as "perfect" and acknowledged that if the tumors had been discovered later, her Olympic preparations would have been significantly affected.
Looking ahead to Paris 2024, Titmus, who holds the 400m freestyle world record, faces competition from the likes of seven-time Olympic champion Katie Ledecky. Despite the challenges, Titmus remains optimistic, stating, "I probably think I'm actually in a better position now than what I thought I would be."
With until July next year to regain competitive form, Titmus emphasized the need for strategic recovery post-surgery, saying, "I definitely have time, but I don't have time to waste."