Recently retired Australian swimming legend Ariarne Titmus was twice brought to tears of joy on Day 2 of her first Commonwealth Games as a commentator.
Titmus sensationally shocked the world when she hung up the goggles last year after a 12-month break from the sport following the Paris Olympics.
The 25-year-old was seemingly still at the peak of her powers, having already won four Olympic and seven Commonwealth Games gold medals in a decorated career that begun as a teenager.
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But now pursuing a new chapter behind the microphone, Titmus — who is the reigning champion in several events — is in Glasgow as a commentator for Channel 7.
Alongside Alister Nicholson and Annie Williams, she called stunning performances from Aussies Sam Williamson in the 100m breaststroke final, Mollie O’Callaghan in the 200m freestyle final, and a trio of Aussies — Sam Short, Benjamin Goedemans and Elijah Winnington — sweeping the podium in the men’s 400m final
The star Seven recruit said during coverage that she was twice brought to tears watching on as her former teammates won gold.
“I definitely feel a lot more emotional watching on,” Titmus said.
“I think when I was competing, I was so in my lane, but now being on the outside looking in, I realise more and more as time goes on how special it is to compete for your country.
“And it’s helping me remind myself of how special it is, what I achieved.
“But watching my friends is a different story. I cried twice tonight: Elijah (Winnington), with how emotional he was and the tough couple of days he’s had; and Sam (Williamson), you know, Sam’s one of the most loved members of our Australian Dolphins swim team and everything he’s been through with his injury. I’m so happy for him.”
Ariarne Titmus was twice brought to tears watching on as her former teammates won gold. Credit: Channel 7 Speaking to 7NEWS.com.au before the Games begun, Titmus said she wasn’t sure how she’d feel watching on from the sidelines.
“I’ve commentated at worlds last year and at trials the past couple of years and I didn’t feel any FOMO (fear of missing out),” she said.
“But I think it’s a different thing being on pool deck at a meet like the Commonwealth Games.
“I think maybe the FOMO that I might feel is, you know, there’s nothing ever like winning gold for your country, and I know that I’m never going to experience that again, and I had to be comfortable with that when I made the decision to retire.
“But it’s one thing saying that, and it’s another thing witnessing it and knowing exactly what those athletes are feeling and understanding that that’s now behind me.
“But I wouldn’t have retired if I wasn’t ready to feel these emotions and wasn’t ready to pass on the baton into the next athletes coming through.
“I feel really proud of the way that I left the sport. I felt like I certainly reinvigorated and and have created a legacy, or another legacy, upon the shoulders of past women in distance freestyle in this country.
“We have such a rich history of distance freestyle in Australia and I feel like I certainly added to that legacy and the shape that I’ve left my events in, I feel like I’ve definitely passed the baton to the next girls coming through, and certainly I hope that we can retain the gold medals that I won at the last games.”