Paris (AFP)
After gold in the 50 m freestyle on Friday, Florent Manaudou won a second title on Saturday at the French short course championships by dominating the 50 m butterfly. Doubles also for Marie Wattel and Jeremy Stravius.
In 22:40, Manaudou swam at the same time as his final of the European championships last week in Glasgow (22.42), finished in 5th place. But far from its 2014 French record (20.09).
As in the 50m freestyle on Saturday, Manaudou is ahead of the young hope Maxime Grousset (22.89). Former glory Amaury Levaux, 34, Olympic medalist in 2008 and 2012 who is aiming for a final round of honor at the Tokyo Olympics, completes the podium.
Manaudou was satisfied with his time and the new title gleaned. "I did almost the same race as the Euro. But it's also my 40th race in two months, I'm a little tired," he said.
In addition to the chronometer, Manaudou heard in this 50 butterfly working his "mastery" of the race. "Things are starting to fall into place, I do a lot of starts, flows, things that I had not done for a long time," said the Marseille swimmer who plunged back into the pools last April after two years and a half interruption and aims for Olympic gold in Tokyo.
He also announced that he would not line up for the 100m on Sunday.
In the other races, Jeremy Stravius, after a successful start, won the 200m breaststroke for his last season announced in the short course. It is his second title this year after the 100m butterfly won on Friday.
In the women's, Marie Wattel broke her personal best to win the 50m freestyle, after her French record set on the 100m Thursday. With the 50m butterfly on Friday, it is his 3rd title of the weekend.
Lara Grangeon distinguished herself by winning two titles in 15 minutes: the 800m freestyle then the 200m butterfly in stride.
© 2019 AFP