Swimming golden girl Ariarne Titmus gets a huge and VERY emotional shock as she returns to Australia – and reveals the thing she’s most looking forward to now she’s home

Aussie swimming golden girl Ariarne Titmus was on top of the world as she arrived home an Olympic hero on Wednesday – then had another reason to be over the moon as she enjoyed a shock reunion with a close friend on live television.

Titmus, 23, who won gold in the Paris pool in the 400m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay, caught up with Abbey Badcock in emotional scenes.

The pair have been firm friends since Titmus grew up in Tasmania, before moving to Queensland as a teenager in 2015 to further her swimming career.

Speaking on Channel Nine’s The Today Show in a live interview at Sydney Airport, Titmus was delighted to see Badcock in the flesh.

‘She is a close and special friend,’ Titmus told hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo after the pair hugged.

‘I don’t get to see her often because of my training, but oh my God, this is so cool. 

‘How did you [Badcock] keep this a secret?

Badcock – who revealed she used to swim against Titmus as a youngster – told viewers how incredible it was to see her close friend on TV competing at the Olympics.

Titmus, 23, who won gold in the Paris pool in the 400m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay, caught up with Abbey Badcock in emotional scenes (pictured) in Sydney

Then it was over to Titmus, who confirmed while winning gold in Paris was a euphoric feeling, she was also overcome with relief.

‘It [winning] was a monkey off my back, I was racing for [all of] Australia,’ she said.

‘It is still a little raw, I am trying to process it all. ‘I am living my dream….I would also like to think I am the same person that I was 10 years ago.’

Titmus also confirmed catching up with family and friends will be her focus over the next few weeks before she returns to the pool – but footy is her top priority now she’s back on home soil.

‘I say no a lot because of training, but now I just can’t wait to be a yes girl and say yes to everything and not have to be the first to leave and head to bed early because of the early wake-ups,’ she said.

‘I am looking forward to some time off, starting off with seeing my [Hawthorn] Hawks this Sunday in Melbourne [when they play Richmond].

‘I think we will go and play the [Brisbane] Lions in the grand final.’