AFL Rd 13 - Melbourne v Collingwood - Source: Getty — Ariarne Titmus at Big Freeze 11 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Getty Images)

Ariarne Titmus dons new attire as Olivia Newton-John for icy plunge at AFL

Modified Jun 09, 2025 11:10 GMT

Ariarne Titmus recently participated in the icy plunge at the Australian Football League (AFL) with 10 other athletes to support a good cause. Following her Paris Olympics run, Titmus has been appearing at multiple events, including high-profile events, social cause events, media campaigns, and more.

She has stayed away from competitive swimming after announcing an indefinite break after the Paris Games. The Australian swimmer was recently seen participating in the 2025 AFL Big Freeze at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Olympian participated in the cause to honor AFL champion Neale Daniher and the fight against motor neurone disease.

Daniher was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 2013. However, the former AFL player showed great resilience in fighting against it and establishing FightMND in 2014. The 'Big Freeze' is the flagship event held annually at the MCG on the King's Birthday. The event has raised $115 million for MND research.

Ariarne Titmus dressed as Olivia Newton-John in a Grease ensemble at the event. Tubby Taylor, former AFL player Peter Daicos, Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy, and former AFL player Aaron Davey joined Titmus.

Expressing her anticipation before sliding into the water, Titmus said:

"I'm so nervous. Minus six, we definitely don't swim in that but this one is for good purpose."

Titmus recently expressed her thoughts on her equation with 'rival' swimmer Katie Ledecky.

"Don’t want to be an athlete that retires from their sport and is lost" - Ariarne Titmus opens up on her plans

Ariarne Titmus of Team Australia during the Olympic Games 2024 in Nanterre, France. (Photo by Getty Images)

Ariarne Titmus recently opened up about her career's nearing conclusion. The Olympian stated that the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be her last edition of the Games. Titmus, who has been dormant from the swimming arena, indicated that she is focusing on other parts of her life to make sure she will be doing fine once she hangs up her cap.

“I know that this is the tail end of my career, I know that the LA Olympics will be my last,” Titmus said. "I just don’t want to be an athlete that retires from their sport and is lost and has nothing to do. I think that it was so important for me to channel different areas of my life to know that when I do leave the sport behind, I’m going to be alright," she said (via 7news.com.au).

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Titmus won four medals.

About the author

Janhavi is a Sports Management graduate working as a US Olympics journalist at Sportskeeda. She emphasizes meticulous research and fact-checking before creating content, relying on multiple sources including social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, as well as various sports publications.

She has competed in the 10m Air Rifle Shooting event at the national level alongside renowned athletes such as Anjali Bhagwat, Apurvi Chandela, and Anjum Moudgil, which further fueled her passion for the sport.

Abhinav Bindra is her favorite Olympian, and she particularly cherishes his and Neeraj Chopra's gold medal victories as they revolutionized Indian athletes' mindset towards achieving sporting excellence.

If given the opportunity to introduce a new sport to the Olympics, she would choose American Football for its widespread appeal and intense competition. Apart from reporting on the latest news in the world of Olympics, she likes to immerse herself in reading, painting, and traveling.

Know More