Florent Manaudou went for a little walk, but he did not stay until the end.
After achieving the second fastest time in the 100m morning series (48′'58), the CN Marseille sprinter preferred to ignore the final in order to save himself for his favorite 50m, scheduled for Sunday, and on which he is already qualified for Japan.
The 2012 Olympic champion was especially keen to show his ability to do two good pool lengths with a view to the 4x100m relay at the Tokyo Olympics. “I was really good until the 80m, after that I don't have the youth and the training for, and I can't finish it but it's good. In the Olympic relay, it will be different, assures the swimmer. I haven't done a lot of 100m since my return (Editor's note: 3). 48′'5, that's good, I'm on my feet. "
Friday afternoon, Manaudou therefore left little comrades to compete for the national title on the queen distance - even if interest has declined in recent years - and the ticket for the Olympics.
And the big winner is called Maxime Grousset.
Favorite of the race, the swimmer from Nouméa, who trains at INSEP with Michel Chrétien, made a double blow by winning the race in 47''99 (new personal best) in front of Marseillais Clément Mignon (48''81 ) and the Niçois Charles Rihoux (48′'89).
🏊♂️ Swimming - French Championship
🏅 The 100m freestyle for Maxime Grousset!
✅ Personal record broken pic.twitter.com/RUUI4PAIW6
- beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) June 18, 2021
“I was told it would be good, I knew I was going to do it but I'm still relieved and happy, smiles the adopted Picard, who held the title. We are going to say that this time is now my average level when I am in good shape, the one that I would have to achieve in order to then pass levels, lower tenths and look for a big final. "
The young man confirmed what he has been suggesting for a month with a personal record broken at the European Championships in Budapest (48''33) and two victories at the meetings in Monaco and Canet-en-Roussillon. "I finally manage to tame this 100 m," he explains. Before, I did not control it at all, it was in a rush. Afterwards, you have to see the small details: an awkward exit from the turn, a not very aggressive flow, the last seven movements where I don't lower my head enough. I know that at the Games the level will be higher but it was hyper dense in Europe and that doesn't scare me. I will have to raise my level. I dream of a final with Dressel
(Editor's note: the American will be one of the big headliners in Tokyo and also Manaudou's n ° 1 enemy over 50 m)
although I don't think I will be able to pick it up just yet.
"
Two days before the end of the events, fourteen swimmers (nine men, five women) achieved the individual Olympic selection criteria, including the experienced Charlotte Bonnet (200m), Fantine Lesaffre (200m medley), the returning Jordan Pothain (200 m) or the Toulouse wave with Jonathan Atsu (200 m) and Antoine Viquerat (200 m breaststroke).
The relay selections will be determined at the end of the competition.
