Six weeks after the successful Worlds in Budapest, the Blues opened the European Swimming Championships with a first medal, thanks to the bronze in the men's 4x200m relay, Thursday in Rome.
“
It was intense!
We had in mind when we met in the week to be in the final and to fight for the win.
It's done, we're really very happy
, ”reacted Wissam-Amazigh Yebba, the team's second torchbearer alongside Hadrien Salvan, Enzo Tesic and Roman Fuchs.
"
For all of us, it's a first medal, it's indescribable
," added Fuchs.
The fault of the Covid, the Euro swimming, which takes place in Rome from August 11 to 17, takes place less than two months after the World Championships.
The Blues had won eight medals in Hungary and hope to continue this good momentum this week in the Italian capital.
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In Budapest, Léon Marchand started the week with a bang with the 400m medley title.
The new swimming star did not make the trip to Rome, but that did not prevent the Blues from opening their counter on the first evening of the Championships.
"
It was an incredible moment.
It launches the French team perfectly
”, welcomed Hadrien Salvan who broke his personal best.
“
At the Worlds, Léon had been world champion on the first day, we thought that if we could get a small medal, it would be good to start the thing.
It's not as good but for us it's already huge.
The Blues took third place in 7 min 6 sec 97, behind the Hungary of the triple world champion Kristof Milak, in gold, and the
Grousset, Bonnet and Gastaldello in the final
On Friday, the Blues will have at least three new medal chances with Maxime Grousset, qualified for the 50m butterfly final, as well as Charlotte Bonnet and Béryl Gastaldello in the 100m freestyle.
“
I'm going to play, try to get as many medals as possible.
I think I'm capable of it on 50 pap even if there are big clients
, ”said Grousset, also engaged in the 100m freestyle.
Charlotte Bonnet will try to win her first international medal since 2019. "
I just want to get back on this damn podium, time really won't be the most important thing
," she said with a smile.
In other races on the first night of competition, 23-year-old Italian Alberto Razzetti brought the host nation its first title of the week by winning gold in the 400m medley, much to the delight of the crowd the Foro Italico, a huge multi-sports complex in the Italian capital.
In the absence of Frenchman Léon Marchand, world champion in the specialty in June, Razzetti won in 4 min 10 sec 60, ahead of Hungarian David Verraszto (4:12.58) and another Italian, Pier Andrea Matteazzi (4 :13.29).
“
Winning here in Rome, in this pool and in front of our home crowd, is something incredible.
Hearing the screams of the audience when you hit the wall first is something I will never forget, it's really very emotional.
I hope it bodes well for the whole Italy team
,” Razzetti said.
The third title of the evening was won by the Dutch in the 4x200m relay final.
