2024 French Olympic Trials: Day 3 Prelims Recap – Grousset, Manaudou Lead in 100 Free
2024 FRENCH ELITE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sunday, June 16 – Friday, June 21
Chartres, France
LCM (50 meters)
Meet Central
Entry List
Results
Prelims: Day 1 |Day 2
Finals: Day 1 |Day 2
Much like in the United States, it was the 100 freestylers’ turn to take to the stage. The men’s team has an established history, with the event having been beaten by the herculean efforts of Jason Lezak in 2008 and then getting their revenge in 2012. They nabbed a third consecutive medal in the event, winning silver in Rio, but fell out of the standings in Tokyo, finishing 6th.
Maxime Grousset, a three-time medal winner at the Fukuoka World Championships, led the morning prelims with a time of 47.65. Less than half a second behind was Florent Manaudou‘s 47.90, who slots into the #2 seed. The two took the race out very differently as Manaudou, a three-time Olympic medalist in the 50 free, was out in 22.50 and came home in 25.40 whereas Grousset split 22.96 and 24.69.
The swim was a new personal best for Manaudou, who previously best was 47.98 dating back to 2014.
The pair were the only swimmers under the Olympic Qualifying time of 48.34, but looking to make a potential relay berth were Guillaume Guth (#3- 48.71), Rafael Fente Damers (#4 – 48.87) and Charles Rihoux (#5 – 48.94).
The women’s 100 free also saw a distinct lead pack, albeit no swimmer was under the OQT of 53.61. Winner of the 100 fly on day 1, Marie Wattel posted the top time of the morning, stopping the clock in 54.31, just .04 ahead of national record holder Charlotte Bonnet. The pair were joined under 55 by Mary-Ambre Moluh, who eclipsed the French record in the 100 back yesterday but finished 3rd.
Other Events
Men’s 50 Breast: Five swimmers all swam prelims times under 28, and with a separation of just .22 between first and fifth, this morning’s leader, Antoine Viquerat, will have a tough time staying in the lead.
Women’s 200 Breast: No swimmer was close to the Qualifying time in this event this morning, but it’s not all that surprising, as the OQT is faster than the French national record. Zia Dupont put up the top time this morning of 2:31.65
Men’s 50 Back: After taking the 100 back last night, Mewen Tomac returned to the pool in this non-Olympic event. He posted a time of 25.20 and leads the field by over a quarter of a second.
Early Heats Women’s 1500 Free: With the fastest heat to swim later today, the 1500 free this morning was a quick affair with just eleven entrants. Apolline Gallant of SN Versailles posted the top time (so far) of 17:32.76.
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