Ariarne Titmus’s retirement ends years of sacrifice and allows her to at last savour her greatness

In the midst of a heaving Champs-Élysées, somehow blending in and glowing like a beacon at once, the gentle blonde curls of Ariane Titmus were unmistakable. 

It was the day after the closing ceremony of Paris 2024 and the Olympics were over. Paris remained abuzz, burning hot in the midday sun.