The sanction has fallen. There will be no World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan next July, nor an Open Water World Cup in Paris. The French Swimming Federation has decided not to select Marc-Antoine Olivier in the national team until August 31st. "The selection criteria for France swimming teams are indeed based on the performances achieved but also on the respect of values and principles of collective operation," the federal statement said. The recent incidents involving Marc-Antoine Olivier have unfortunately led us to make this decision. After August 31st, the DTN will offer Marc-Antoine Olivier a time of exchange to discuss the preparation of next season which will be decisive in the qualification for the Olympic Games in Paris. »
In Fukuoka, the swimmer will be replaced by Sacha Vely, 3rd in the 10 km and 5 km during the selections in Martinique. Marc-Antoine Olivier, 26, won the bronze medal in the 10km at the 2016 Rio Olympics. His achievements also include two world titles in 2017 (5 km and mixed relay), a silver medal at the 2019 Worlds (10 km). He finished 6th in the 10km at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
This sanction follows three warnings for bad behavior vis-à-vis the staff of the France team. After a World Cup in Abu Dhabi in 2021, the 5km world champion (2017) went to the disciplinary council where he received a first warning with a financial penalty. In April during the qualifications in Martinique for the Worlds, Marc-Antoine Olivier had once again been warned for virulent remarks against the management in front of the organizers of the event and he had started again two weeks later during an international competition.