"Florent?
I feel it hot!
He's smiling… ”In the mixed zone of the Aquatics Center, Maxime Grousset winks at Florent Manaudou.
If the New Caledonian from Insep (4th in the 100m NL) failed to qualify for the final of the 50m NL, which will take place on Sunday, the 2012 Olympic champion is there. .
Second time in the semi-finals (21′'53) behind the almost untouchable Caeleb Dressel (21′'42 a few minutes after breaking his own world record in the 100 m butterfly final (49′'45)), the sprinter of CN Marseille did not miss the march. Manaudou had never swam so fast since his return to the pools in the spring of 2019. “It's super tight, blows the co-captain of the Blues. I'm second and eighth is two tenths behind me. This is what was planned. Caeleb had a good race having made a 100 pap before and having a relay
(Editor's note: 4 x 100 m NL mixed)
after so it will be good on Sunday… ”
🤯 Florent Manaudou wins his semi-final in the 50-meter freestyle in 21'53 "and has his best time of the season! # Tokyo2020 #JeuxOlympiques @FlorentManaudou pic.twitter.com/ksPp3TjDfZ
- Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) July 31, 2021
Lucid on the level of the American, Manaudou put a small yen on him for the victory.
"I think he will be ahead but a race is never won, he will have to go and look for it like us," slips the Habs.
He also has the right to make mistakes sometimes.
I hope it will be Sunday for us.
I am happy to live a 5th Olympic final
(Editor's note: three in 50 m NL, two in relay 4 x 100 m NL)
.
But frankly, I didn't think I would be in this place a few weeks ago.
"
Manaudou had already said it the day before after the playoffs. He asked himself a lot of questions after the French Championships in mid-June. “I decided to let go because it was too complicated and I did not come back to suffer neither in the water nor outside, he repeats. When I wanted to come back, it was to experience emotions but this year has been full of negative emotions, not easy to manage. I said to myself:
swim, don't think too much
. I'm happy to have had my best time since my return, I would like to lower the clock a little further and why not dream of a small podium. Honestly, we can get a medal in 21′'4 or 6th or 7th in 21′'5, it will not play out much. "
