Some thoughts are better left as thoughts.

Some thoughts that form into opinions can be considered gratuitous when another perspective ought to be discussed, but the provocation does more harm than good.Alas social media may not be the best place to persuade.

"Faster, Higher, Stronger" has been the Olympic motto since 1896.

In Latin, Citius, Altius, Fortius is something legendary US athletics coach and founder of Nike, William Jay Bowerman, would recite to his athletes. This included iconic middle distance runner, the late Steve Prefontaine, as they prepared for the 1972 Munich Olympics and the Montreal Games of 1976. Tragically Prefontaine was killed in a car accident in 1975.

There was a moment following the women's 400 metre freestyle final at the Tokyo Olympics that personified Faster, Higher, Stronger and should be the defining image of the Games of the XXXII Olympiad. Katie Ledecky, with 21 world championship and Olympic gold medals, the defending champion, and at only 24 years of age at her third Games, wore the crown as best in the world.

She was beaten by Launceston born Ariarne Titmus at the World Championships in 2019. However, this was the Olympics, and a much-anticipated sporting showdown has been built on their rivalry. As we know Titmus defeated Ledecky and won the hearts of a nation. Ledecky must have been devastated. The pain after pushing so hard for so many years must have hurt. The champion had been dethroned. The workhorse of the US swim team competing in the 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, and four by 200m freestyle relay had other opportunities, but very few voluntarily abdicate their crown.

The race was epic, and I was brought to tears, pulled over on the Midland Highway, late for meetings, but fully committed to history being made. And while the race was epic, the sportspersonship following the showdown was extraordinary.

In response to her first 400m freestyle loss at an Olympic Games, Ledecky smiled. With her right arm creating a right angle holding the edge of the pool, she delivered a response that was warm and genuine.

Titmus swimming in lane three next to her rival with her head pushed back, one of her two swim caps in her left hand with the lane rope supporting her entire left arm smiled in return. It is an image of triumph and relief. Faster, Higher, Stronger.

Back on pool deck the two champions were arm in arm with Titmus initially placing a hand on Ledecky's back to guide and reassure. The photos by Getty Images should be the defining images of the Tokyo Olympics. Alas, they probably will not be.

They both spoke with grace and poise, recognising the importance of COVID struggles back home in their respective countries and were humble in victory and in defeat. For many of us seeing a champion dethroned is tough no matter their nationality.

For example, many still struggle to cope with Roger Federer being beaten. Or Serena Williams struggling to put Margaret Court's record to bed. Then there's Kieren Perkins, the two-time Olympic champion being beaten albeit by another Australian, Grant Hackett, at the 2000 Sydney Games. And most recently Naomi Osaka at the Wimbledon Championships and then Simone Biles, with 30 Olympic and world championship medals, pulling out of the gymnastics' competition, both struggling with mental health issues.

Elite sport is glorious. But it is also pain and suffering and pressure and sacrifice that us mere mortals will never fully understand.

Considering the enormity of the build-up, just reflect for a moment if you can, walking out to a small yet unnerving crowd with the huge weight of your country's hopes on your shoulders.

I could barely cope with the struggle of tough grade cricket in the 1990s, when men were men and the rest of us suffered.

Losing was extremely difficult to take and at times, there were some of us who struggled with white line fever, an ailment that rarely aids the fortunes of teams and can be detrimental to performance.

The ability to control emotions and execute in moments of extraordinary stress and national expectation are qualities that set Titmus and Ledecky apart. Coupled with their incredible talent and dedication to hard work, we were blessed to witness two wonderful competitors and authentic role models.

The new Olympic motto adopted in 2021, Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together could not be more apt to describe two athletes whose feats we have been blessed to enjoy and whose thoughts and opinions are full of good.