The French men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team will defend their chances in the final of the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka (Japan) on Friday, after setting the fifth fastest time in the heats. The Blues of Hadrien Salvan, Amazigh Yebba, Roman Fuchs and Enzo Tesic, swam in 7’06”40, while the heats were dominated by the Australians in 7’04”37. Léon Marchand, triple world champion this week, should join the relay in the final for a chance of a medal. “We want to go all out tonight. The podium, we can be on it, or we will not be far from it, ”said Amazigh Yebba. The final will take place at 2:40 p.m. French time.
In the other races of the morning, Florent Manaudou qualified for the semi-finals of the 50m freestyle with the third fastest time. The Frenchman swam his series in 21”72, 0”37 behind the leader, the Australian Cameron McEvoy. “It was a bit messy but it was pretty good,” reacted Manaudou. “Nothing was perfect, so there will be things to replace tonight (in the semi-finals)”.
The day after his bronze medal in the 100m freestyle, Maxime Grousset set the fourth fastest time in the 100m butterfly series in 51”00. The 24-year-old swimmer has also decided to give up the 50m freestyle. “I feel that there is something to do, I’m having fun this year on 100 pap’, so I’m continuing. It was hard to make this decision. Knowing that I made a podium last year out of 50, giving up the 50 crawl is difficult. (But) I made a choice, we’ll see, I’ll take it.”
Also read Swimming World Championships: Maxime Grousset in bronze on the 100m
Mélanie Hénique also secured her spot in the 50m butterfly semi-final. The silver medalist of the last Worlds took the fourth time in the series in 25”75, behind the eternal Sarah Sjöström (25”04). “The goal is to reach the final with as much energy as possible,” anticipated Hénique. On the other hand, Anastasiia Kirpichnikova failed at the gates of the 800m freestyle final (8’22”74), while Emma Terebo failed to pass the series of the 200m backstroke. She was only able to achieve the 24th time in 2’13”95.
SEE ALSO – Women’s World Cup: Les Bleues are preparing to face Brazil (Saturday)