Frederick Bousquet was once one of the world’s most feared 50 freestyle swimmers, but has missed significant time battling a shoulder injury. As we approach Rio, he faces questions over his health and age (Bousquet will be 35 by the time of the Rio Games).
This past weekend at the Amsterdam Cup, Bousquet made his return to long course in his first meet since this past summer’s French Open. After the competition, he took to Facebook to reflect on the weekend:
“Fin de ma première compétition en grand bassin de la saison pour la Amsterdam Swim Cup et je suis plus que satisfait avec les temps que j’ai réalisés: 23″87 au 50 papillon et 22″44 au 50 nage libre. Je termine à chaque fois en 3ème position mais au delà de la place, je retiens les chronos qui me prouvent que mon entraineur et moi sommes sur la bonne voie #RoadtoRio
Prochaine étape Milan pour rencontrer demain les dirigeants et les équipes techniques de mon équipementier Jaked Store avant de rentrer sur Marseille et préparer le meeting de Nîmes le weekend prochain. Bonne soirée tout le monde ?”
A translation with help from SwimSwam’s own Anne Lepesant:
“I’m wrapping up my first long course meet of the season at the Amsterdam Swim Cup, and I am more than satisfied with my times: 23.87 in the 50 fly and 22.44 in the 50 free. I finished third in each race but more than my place, I am focused on my times which prove that my coach and I are on the right path.
Next stop Milan where tomorrow I’ve got meetings with the directors and technical staff of Jaked, my equipment sponsor. Then back to Marseille to get ready for the meet in Nîmes next weekend. Good night everyone.”
At this point in his career Bousquet seems to be focusing in on the 50m races, of which he can only swim the freestyle in Rio. In order to qualify he will need to overcome stiff domestic competition. His ex-brother in law Florent Manadou has been consistently churning out high level swims.
Perhaps even more challenging will be the French Olympic qualifying standard, which sits at 21.82. Bousquet has not been faster than that time since the European Championships in 2013.