From our special correspondent in Tokyo
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He walked out of the call room with a broad smile. The one he has displayed since his arrival in Tokyo. That of maturity. Symbolic of his desire to have fun and never tire of being crushed by the event. Before landing on the starting block. Impervious to the clamors of the athletes of the delegations putting the atmosphere in the Tokyo aquatic center. At the end of the effort, the silver medal in 21''55. Behind the untouchable Caeleb Dressel (21''07) who won a 4th gold medal (after the 100m, 4x100m and 100m butterfly). And in front of the Brazilian Bruno Fratus (21''57).
Five years ago, in Rio de Janeiro, a hundredth had deprived Florent Manaudou of a gold double over 50 m. He had tears in his eyes and sobs in his voice when he had taken and shared the violence that this hundredth was digging. This time, the silver medal has the flavor of reconstruction. A successful bet.
After the money from Rio, Florent Manaudou had chosen to make a cut. To live the challenge of handball (in Aix-en-Provence where he played as a reserve team), the sport of his young years, discover new horizons such as film sets, get some fresh air. Before diving again. In 2019, with the Olympic challenge in mind. With no other certainties than his will and his potential. At the highest level, the competition never waits. Florent Manaudou had to apply himself to climb the steps of a hierarchy dominated, over the distance, by the versatile American Caeleb Dressel. With humility. In search of sensations, emotions, he then had (like all other athletes) to deal with the constraints linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.
To read also: Olympic Games: gold medal, family history, failures ... The confidences of Tony Estanguet and Florent Manaudou
Difficult in these conditions to assemble the puzzle to propel to the Olympic podium.
But the unique atmosphere of the Games operated.
As soon as he arrived in Tokyo, Florent Manaudou, who wanted to have fun, found his marks.
And signed, in the series, then in the semi-finals, times which testified to his condition, his ambition.
This Sunday, he mastered the parameters of the final to clinch a 4th Olympic medal (after gold in 2012 and silver in the 50m freestyle in 2016, silver in the 4x100m relay in Rio).
He was not swept away by the Dressel wave.
He knew how to chart his course.
