The victory over Canada’s Summer McIntosh and Team USA’s Katie Ledecky means Ariarne becomes just the second Australian woman to defend an Olympic title. 

The other? None other than the legendary Dawn Fraser, who won the 100m freestyle crown in 1956, 1960 and 1964.

“I can’t really believe that’s me, to be honest,” Ariarne said when told of the achievement. 

“I’m so normal, I just love swimming and getting out and representing my country and having fun. 

“I hope nobody looks at me any differently - I’m just the same old goofy Tassie girl out here living out her dream. I hope it shows that anyone can do what they want to do if they work hard and believe in themselves.”

Her victory in one of the match races of the Games headlined a superb opening night for the Dolphins that yielded two gold medals and two silver medals from four finals. 

The women’s 4x100m freestyle relay topped the podium for the fourth time in as many Games, while Elijah Winnington (400m freestyle) and the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay won memorable silvers to add to the medal tally.

Ariarne was a vision of relief after a victory three years in the making. Ledecky had pipped her in the morning’s heat but Ariarne went to the front early and controlled the race to touch first in 3:57.49, ahead of McIntosh (3:58.37) and Ledecky (4:00.86).

It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Ariarne initially went to race from lane four, only to be gently reminded by Ledecky that she was in fact in lane five. After a quick switch, a sheepish Ariarne put the game face back on and set about chasing history.

“I feel relieved. It’s a different feeling winning it again after the first time,” she said. 

“I know what it takes to be an Olympic champion and I know how hard it is racing in these circumstances at an Olympic Games. 

“It’s not really like anything else. The noise and atmosphere and pressure and Village life makes performing hard but I’m very happy to come out on top.

“Here I am, I’m from little old Launnie (Launceston) and out here living the dream. I hope it inspires young kids.”

The men’s 400m featured Elijah and fellow Dolphin Sam Short, who swam bravely to finish fourth in a solid warm-up for his 800m-1500m events later in the program. 

But it was the redemption story of Elijah, who almost quit swimming after he struggled in Tokyo and finished out of the medals, that was one of the stories of the night.

He went out strongly to try to keep pace with German gold medalist Lukas Maertens (4:41.78), making a late charge before finishing with the silver in (3:42.21).

“You know the heartache I went through in Tokyo, so to come out the other side and compete in an Olympics and touch the wall and be happy with the result, it’s really special,” Elijah said. 

“I’ve still got a big week ahead and I’m really excited for that.

“The last thing (coach) Dean (Boxall) said to me was ‘Enjoy it, it’s eight laps, leave it all out there and the result will be the result. Just go out there and have fun’. And that’s what I was doing. I was relaxed. It worked. I had a lot of fun and a silver medal around my neck.”

Elijah said he would put his arms around Sam to make sure he could reset and pour everything into the distance events later in the program.

“He’s had a tough couple of months,’’ Elijah said.

“But he’s still so young - he’s younger than what I was in Tokyo and he has so many years ahead of him. He’s got a great head and has a big week. I wouldn’t count him out yet, he’s a great kid.” 

Phil Lutton