Even if he fell one rank in the world hierarchy of the 100m freestyle, Maxime Grousset can nevertheless be delighted to have been able to keep his place on the podium. With a bronze medal around his neck, a symbol both of his consistency over the distance and of the progress he still has to make to dream of gold in Paris 2024…
Coming very close to taking the door in the semi-finals with only the 7th fastest time (47”87), the Frenchman had obviously learned the lessons of his performance inside during a final which he attacked with all sails out. Second halfway through, the New Caledonian was going to hang on like hell on the way back so as not to fall from the third step of the podium, which was his in 47”42, a personal best beaten by a tenth.
For the victory, on the other hand, Maxime Grousset could do nothing against the Australian speedboat Kyle Chalmers, impressive on the last 50 to win in 47”15. He is ahead of the American Jack Alexy, surprising silver medalist in 47”31. The young class was sent back to their dear studies, like the Romanian David Popovici (18 years old) only 6th, just behind the Briton Matthew Richards (20 years old) – who did not achieve the double after his coronation during in the 200m – and the Chinese Zhanle Pan (18), at the foot of the podium.
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