‘Thousands of messages of hate’: Titmus reveals ugly fallout from Sydney Sweeney criticism

Olympic great Ariarne Titmus has revealed she was subjected to thousands of hateful messages after criticising a provocative Sydney Sweeney advertisement, saying she was personally attacked over her appearance for standing up for women’s sport.

Last month, Titmus joined a chorus of prominent female athletes condemning an advertisement featuring American actress Sydney Sweeney, who appeared scantily clad alongside various pieces of sporting equipment.

Sydney Sweeney poses for her controversial Novig ad, which Olympian Ariarne Titmus has criticised.The advertisement, filmed for US sports prediction platform Novig, played on the company’s “just sports” slogan.

The former Australian swimmer described it as “an absolute joke” and “the furthest thing from sport”.

“I can’t describe how infuriated I feel when I watch this,” Titmus wrote on social media.

“Not only is it a kick in the face to every woman who has dedicated her life to perfecting her craft, but every woman who enjoys sports for what it really is.”

Ariarne Titmus’ Instagram response to the Sydney Sweeney advertising campaign.InstagramTitmus received support from fellow Olympians and other prominent female athletes, many of whom shared their own criticism of the advertisement.

Speaking at a Racing NSW media event ahead of Golden Eagle Day at Royal Randwick on Saturday, Titmus said she had no idea her comments, posted while holidaying in Europe, would generate such a fierce reaction.

“I got a lot of messages of support but at the same time, I got thousands of comments and messages of hate. It’s unfortunate,” Titmus told this masthead on Wednesday. “I was just trying to do the right thing and use my platform. Being removed from the swimming team now, I feel I can be a bit more vocal … but I was quite surprised by the reception.

“But you know what? I’d do it again. I just think how far we come and how incredible our female athletes are around the world. It didn’t sit very nicely with me.

Ariarne Titmus at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s Golden Eagle Day.Sitthixay Ditthavong“I was quite lucky throughout my swimming career. I never really got much trolling or hate, and I always felt immense support. It was the first time I felt people were attacking me personally and physically [about] how I looked.”

“It kind of just goes over my head,” she said. “I know who I am. That’s their problem. A lot of them were probably bots, to be honest. Other women who spoke out about it probably got the same [treatment].”

It has been just over a year since Titmus, an eight-time Olympic medallist, world record holder and world champion, announced her retirement from swimming.

Ariarne Titmus after winning gold in the 400m freestyle at the 2024 Olympic Games.APTraining to become the best swimmer in the world was taxing, but retirement has hardly meant putting her feet up. The past 12 months have been a whirlwind of flights, sponsor appearances and broadcast commitments as Titmus establishes herself beyond the pool.

Titmus, who is launching her book Relentless next week, has also partnered with Youngcare to raise awareness of the charity’s work helping young Australians with complex and permanent physical disabilities live independently.

Golden Eagle Day has become one of Australia’s biggest race days, with about $1 million donated to charities each year.

For Titmus, the association with racing is fitting. Long before she became a swimming superstar, horses were her first love. She grew up riding them on her family’s property in Tasmania before committing to the pool.

Ariarne Titmus with inaugural Golden Eagle winner Kolding at Royal Randwick. Sitthixay DitthavongWith the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics less than two years away, Titmus insists there is no temptation to make a comeback.

“The chapter is well and truly closed,” Titmus said. “Zero part of me wanted to be in the water [at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow]. I felt so removed from that team. Every day that’s passed since I’ve retired, I know that it’s the right one.

“I haven’t slowed down. I really thought that it might have a bit of a lull, but I’ve just thrown myself into as much as I possibly can, and the work’s been coming.”

Titmus is also preparing for the release of her autobiography on Tuesday, which promises a warts-and-all account of her extraordinary career and the demanding methods of longtime coach Dean Boxall.

Their partnership delivered Olympic gold medals and world records, but although it was not always smooth sailing, there was always mutual respect.

“I don’t regret one second of it or how hard I pushed myself. It’s definitely a feel-good story,” Titmus said.

“We had big blow-ups. He used to call me a ‘self-cleaning carpet’ because we’d have a big blow-up and then I come back the next day like nothing happened.

“In the hard times or the blow-ups – and in the moments where he was pushing me to the brink – I really made sure it was well known that that’s what I wanted from him. I knew that I thrive with that bad cop on my back.”

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