Day One of the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast was a big day for Aussies: we took home a total of 15 medals, five of them in the highly coveted metallic shade of gold.
But despite two world records – one from the men’s 4km pursuit team, and the other from the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team – there was one Aussie who unequivocally stole the show and won over the viewers’ hearts.
And he wasn’t even a competitor.
Steve Titmus – a former Tasmanian cricketer and former Seven News presenter – was mic’d up and had cameras pointed at him while his daughter, 17-year-old Brisbane schoolgirl Ariarne Titmus raced for her life in the women’s 200m freestyle final last night.
How good is this!? Steve Titmus is mic’d up watching his daughter win silver at #GC2018. What do you think his heart rate hit in that last 10m? ????
FYI Steve used to be a 7News presenter in Tasmania! #7CommGames pic.twitter.com/40h0UgKN5q
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 5, 2018
Ariarne (who is still in year 12) fell just 0.04 short of the gold medal, which was snatched from her by fellow teen, Taylor Ruck from Canada.
But, although Ariarne smashed her personal best and is said to be one to watch on the Australian swim team, it was Steve’s passionate performance while cheering his daughter on that has made him a national hero.
“Go! Turn! Faster!” Steve screamed, as he leapt from his seat.
“Push off that wall! Push! F*** yes, good turn! Go! Keep going! Faster, faster, go, go!”
