Australian Olympic star Ariarne Titmus has reflected on recognition set to be bestowed upon her by the City of Launceston Council, and put an end to conjecture about where she calls home.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
While Titmus said she was "surprised" to be recognised, she was "honoured" by the gesture.
The council of Monday voted unanimously the bestow the 20-year-old with a key to the city, rename the 50-metre competition pool at the Launceston Aquatic Centre in her honour, and establish an annual swimming scholarship at the centre.
Speaking from the Gold Coast Titmus said while she was competing in Tokyo she turned off her phone to the outside world, but upon switching it back on was blown away by what she saw.
"I was surprised when the rumours started circulating that there was a possibility these attributes might actually happen, but I thought to myself 'probably not'," she said.
The 50 metre competition pool played a major role in Titmus' budding career, swimming in it from the age of 12 to 15.
She said she could not count the exact number of laps she cut in it, but it was the place where she started thinking seriously about where her career could take her.
"I did a lot of sessions there, and it was where I really started to make my first break-through," she said.
As the rumours of her Launceston recognition swirled, debate heated up about whether Titmus was a Tasmanian, or if the adopted city of Brisbane had taken the mantle of home town.
But for all the to-and-fro between the cities, the Olympian herself was content on having a foot in both camps.
"I haven't been able to get back to Launceston as much as I would have like, and when I come back I don't know if it will feel like home or if I'll be a tourist," she said.
But I do feel like I am and always will be a born and bred Tasmanian. Although, and you might not want to hear it, living in Brisbane at the moment there is a part of me that definitely is a Queenslander.
- Tokyo Olympics superstar Ariarne Titmus
Titmus will return to Launceston for a September 17 ceremony at Civic Square where she will be presented with a key to the city.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.examiner.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @examineronline
- Follow us on Instagram: @examineronline
- Follow us on Google News: The Examiner