Headphones screwed on the ears, relaxed, almost nonchalant approach, Florent Manaudou has the relaxation of the great champions when leaving the call room in Chartres. He who has often suffered from his toxic relationship with his sport has never seemed so fulfilled. “I like swimming now,” he was almost surprised at the microphone of beIN Sports alongside Maxime Grousset, whom he has just beaten in the final of the French championships in the 50m freestyle. I love this 50m freestyle, I love the whole process behind it, whereas before I only loved it if I was swimming fast. »
And it’s felt on every level. Physically, he has never looked as sharp as he does at 33 years old. Mentally, he enjoys his rivalry with Grousset, with whom he had already had a tough time in the 100m heats, where he beat his personal best (47”90). His young compatriot was even ecstatic about it on Tuesday: “that could make a good relay at the Games!” »
Faster than his money time in Tokyo
And over 50m, therefore, the split times are very good, if not excellent. Certainly, other references such as world champion Ladyslav Bukhov have done a little better this year (21”45 for the Ukrainian in Doha), but Manaudou is gradually returning to his peak over the distance. In the morning, he swam in 21”52, his best time since 2016. This is better than in Tokyo (21”55), where he was a silver medalist, and only a tenth from his medal silver from Rio. Enough to wait for the Paris 2024 Olympics in a month in complete relaxation.