Joly, 29, qualified for the 1500m freestyle with a time of 15 min 02 sec 69/100th.

"We will be able to compete with the best in the world, it was the first stage of the season and I can't wait to be there," said Joly, who believes he has "enormous room for improvement" by the summer. .

Two years from the Paris Games "we need to confront the best", he added.

Emilien Mattenet won in 4 min 16 sec 37/100th in the final of the 400m medley, more than a second below the minimum required by the French Federation.

Emilien Mattenet, during the 400m medley final at the French Championships, April 10, 2022 in Limoges Damien MEYER AFP

"It's my first Worlds, so I'll try to get some experience and if I can not just be an extra and try to do a good performance there, that would be good," said Mattenet, 21 years old, even if he said he was disappointed with his time of the day.

Other swimmers who had already acquired their qualification fell below the minimums during this last day: Mewen Tomac in the 50m backstroke, Marie Wattel and Mélanie Henique in the 50m freestyle.

The joy of Marie Wattel (c), French champion in the 50m freestyle ahead of Mélanie Henique (g) and Charlotte Bonnet, on April 10, 2022 in Limoges Damien MEYER AFP

The 21 swimmers selected will defend their chances against the world's elite from June 18.

For the European Championships in Rome (August 11-21), the delegation should be more or less the same, said the Federation.

The rising star of the Blues Léon Marchand was not present in the Limousin since he trains in the United States, but his recent results allowed him to invite himself to Hungary, where he will be aligned for three races (200 m butterfly, 200 m medley and 400 m medley).

Frenchman Léon Marchand, during the 400m medley final at the TYR Pro Swim Series, March 31, 2022 in San Antonio (Texas) Maddie Meyer GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives

He will be accompanied in particular by experienced swimmers such as Florent Manaudou, qualified in the 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly or Charlotte Bonnet (100 and 200m freestyle).

Florent Manaudou during a press briefing on the eve of the French Swimming Championships in Limoges, April 4, 2022 Damien MEYER AFP

Maxime Grousset, who distinguished himself in Tokyo by finishing just off the podium in the 100m freestyle, will take part in three events, the 50 and 100m freestyle, as well as the 50m butterfly.

© 2022 AFP