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.
BANGGGG. My glorious sexy Greek god alpha male pookie bear and favorite swimmer of all time Flo Manaudou is BACK.
Who else can go a 100 free PB and break 48 for the first time at age 34? Manaudou is built different, his back will be hurting after swimming 3 of the 4 legs in the French medley
It wasn’t the first time.
This is what happens when you comment on a picture and not the article. This isnt instagram, not his first time sub-48
Brent Hayden haha
Manaudou doing an Ervin and winning the 50 more than a decade after his first Olympic triumph would be iconic – Particularly at home. Very strong French mens 4x1fr & 4x1mm.
Who are their other freestylers apart from Manadou and Grousset? What is Marchands best?
Agreed, France shouldnt swim the 4×100 free, they have 0 chances of a medal, Leon has a busy calendar and big old Flo needs to keep his energies for the 50free, 4x100IM.
Let’s see what Gasta can do in the 100 free this evening, with a 58.5 backstroker, Leon, Maxime and Gasta France can also do some damage. If Wattel is back to 56 low Grousset could swim the free.
Everyone’s saying manadeus 100 is making them excited for his 50 – I’m excited because of Frances realistic medal chances in the 400 medley
Tomac/ndoye (52 mid) Marchand (58 mid split probable after a 59.0 flat) grousset (has been 49 low) manadeou (has been 47 low)
That’s a 3:27/3:28 potentially. Not saying that they’re actually gonna go that, but the pieces are all there, and it’s a home Olympics. They’re probably the favorites for bronze over Italy and australia, maybe more
I would include UK too in the contention for bronze, with Morgan improving and Peaty back to good form. Battle for bronze will be tight and France is a serious contender now. Watching them go from 2nd to 4th at last World championships after that blistering Grousset fly leg was so disappointing
The US, Australia, and Great Britain are going to be hard to get past in the men’s 400 free relay, but if any of them falter, France is evidently lying in wait.
Eh high 48s ain’t gonna do it unless Grousset and Manaudou have low 47s in em
French medley might be p good if they have a backstroker? (I’m brain farting if they do)
Actually I have a question about that because of Leon’s speed is it possible he could end up being on the 400 free relay in any aspect of it? I mean i know yards is different from meters but if he split 1:44.8 in a 200 there’s no way he can’t split 47 on a relay right?
Depends on the schedule, would not be shocked if he’s put on it
Usually 200y free translates pretty good to 100m free, he’s prolly a 48.0ish guy on a relay
No way he’s part of the 400 free relay.
They have 2 52. backstrokers in Tomac and Ndoye-Brouard (the first one being that controversial Cal-commit, if that might ring some bells).
Oh those’ll count
Getting that home Olympic bump too
Mewen Tomac (committed to Berkeley in september) won the final of the french trials in the 100m back in 52’88 ahead of Yohann N’Doye-Brouard 52”90 . Both are qualified for the Games.
They have 2 at 52 mid if I am not mistaken.
France’s next best 100 freestyler was 48.7 in heats, if any of them were to falter it would be Italy who would capitalise.
This puts them right into the conversation for a medley relay medal now though with Tomac going a 52.8, Marchand already being a 59.0 earlier this season, Grousset looking very good and Marchand going sub 48.
Marchand is a beast but he isn’t that in shape.
sub-47 chance
Manaudou out in 22.5, hoo boy what’s he got for the 50
20.70
Going a new PB in the 100 free at 33 is no small feat
What can Manaudou whip up in the 50? He’s clearly in the best form that he’s been in since Rio.