EXCLUSIVE: Sitting on the LANDMARK by Lexus balcony in a stunning cream and yellow Rebecca Vallance frock, Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus is feeling more relaxed than she has in years. Glass of red wine in hand, she tells 9honey this is the most she's been able to enjoy the Melbourne Cup Carnival in her entire life. "It's been busy, it's been fun, and I've just - I've been at ease," she explains, blue eyes shining.
READ MORE: Why Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson wanted to 'get away from the sporting world' "I haven't had to worry about swimming. I'm here enjoying myself while I'm on a break and I haven't ever been able to do that, so I've loved it." As an ambassador for the 2024 carnival, Titmus has been front and centre from Derby Day, to Cup Day, Oaks Day and finally Stakes Day today, which she kicked off with a very unexpected photo opportunity.
Arriving at the exclusive Birdcage enclosure, she and Melbourne Cup legend Michelle Payne were snapped lifting this year's winner Robbie Dolan in their arms like a blushing bride. Titmus flushes and laughs when asked about the cheeky moment. "Michelle suggested it and I was thinking, 'yeah, I'll be fine, he's a jockey, he's small,'" she says, then taps her arms and winces.
"I think I've lost a bit of my strength but it was funny!" READ MORE: The harrowing secret Bindi Irwin hid from the world for 10 years It's exactly the kind of light-hearted fun she's embracing while on a 12-month break from competitive swimming, a decisio.
