While Titmus said she was "surprised" to be recognised, she was "honoured" by the gesture.

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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.

Titmus will return to Launceston for a September 17 ceremony at Civic Square where she will be presented with a key to the city.

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