An irresistible ascent.
From the Tokyo Olympics to the European Championships in Rome, via the World Championships in Budapest, only a year has passed.
365 days made fully profitable by Maxime Grousset to establish himself as the future, but also the present, of the French sprint.
In the Japanese capital, for his first Olympic experience, the native of Nouméa, in New Caledonia, had set a first milestone by finishing 4th in the final of the 100 meters freestyle, behind the untouchable trio Caeleb Dressel-Kyle Chalmers-Kliment Kolesnikov.
Still it was a question of confirming and not making Tokyo a sword stroke in the water.
Despite a flu and a shoulder injury that disrupted his winter preparation, he lived up to expectations.
First at the French championships in early April where Grousset wanted to “
show who was the boss of the 100m, at least in France.
And afterwards, I also wanted to show everyone internationally that I am there too.
“With his victory in 48”03, the mission was fulfilled, especially since he also won the title in the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle (but without beating an injured Florent Manaudou before the final).
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Laure's little brother who, however, was delighted with the emergence of the Caledonian, even if it risks overshadowing him a little.
“
We play sports to have rivalries.
It's great to have a swimmer like Max on the side, who swims the same times as me.
We race at almost every meeting.
»
I'm really happy to be vice-world champion, to have represented France so well
Maxime Grousset
Then direction Budapest, last month, and the world championships where the 23-year-old Frenchman intended to climb on his first international podium in individual.
Again, he was spot on.
Even a little ahead.
During a magnificent final of the 100m freestyle, Maxime Grousset, in the lead for a good part of the two lengths, failed by nothing behind the Romanian David Popovici (for six hundredths, 47''58 against 47''64).
What feed regrets?
Yes and no.
"
I'm really happy to be vice-world champion, to have represented France so well.
During the race, I felt that we were really all on the same line, I felt that maybe I was going to beat Popovici.
It didn't work out, I cracked a little at the end.
There is a moment when I slow down a little bit, I temporize but I shouldn't have, I should have led from start to finish and won this race.
But that's the experience.
I am vice-world champion and I cannot be disappointed.
“A happiness all the greater as behind he also won bronze in the 50m freestyle.
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Silver, bronze.
Now Grousset wants gold.
Even if he is only European in Rome this week where he will line up as usual in the 50 and 100 m freestyle (finals on August 17 and 13), as well as the 50 m butterfly (final on August 12).
With, as a high point, a possible revenge on Popovici.
A Romanian that Michel Chrétien's student at Insep promised "
to beat the next time
" he meets him in a pool.
"I know where I'm going"
But, beyond this duel, he wants to demonstrate in the Italian capital that he is capable
of “assuming his new status
”, as he confided to the official magazine of the French Swimming Federation.
"
It doesn't scare me.
I know where I'm going.
I have been thinking about the Paris Games for a while now.
We'll see where the path takes me until then.
For the moment, I am on an upward slope and it is very pleasant
.”
That she finally leads her to the top, after Budapest and Tokyo, just to complete her tour of the basins in 365 days.
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