Los Angeles (AFP)
The French Florent Manaudou, one of the headliners of the International Swimming League, confirmed his excellent form, achieving the best world performance of the year on 50 m butterfly (small pool) in 22 sec 66/100, Sunday during the first leg in Indianapolis.
For his second competition since retiring in the spring, Manaudou had already impressed the day before also winning the 50m freestyle, with again the best time of the year in 20 sec 77/100.
The 28-year-old Frenchman has also won again on this event but in "skin race", that is to say in three races. He won the first round with eight swimmers, the semifinal with four, then the final two with Englishman Ben Proud. All in less than ten minutes, the races being chained almost without dead time.
Logically, he achieved his best time (21.24) in the first lap. He swam in 22.00 in the semifinals and finally in 22.97 to win the final. A test at the end of which he appeared dulled, but obviously satisfied.
And for good reason, back in the basins to regain Olympic gold in 2020, Manaudou has shown that he is on the right track to come to Tokyo claiming credibility.
The day before, in addition to his brilliant victory in the 50-meter freestyle, he won the 4x100m relay and finished 4th in the 50m backstroke.
In the pool of IU Natatorium Indianapolis, where the ISL was inaugurated, he has established himself as one of the leaders of the Energy Standards training, along with the Swede Sarah Sjöström, victorious six races (including a relay) in which she was engaged.
They contributed significantly to the victory of their team (539 pts) ahead of Cali Condors (457), DC Trident (333.5) and Aqua Centurions (300.5).
The International Swim League, a new team competition, was a two-day competition between four teams of 24 swimmers each on 37 races. In Indianapolis, the first of eight stages of this first edition, the focus was on the show with a futuristic setting with purple lights, the organizers aiming to make this sport more attractive.
The next stage will take place in Naples next weekend.
© 2019 AFP