After two bronze medals on Thursday, the French swimmers returned to the podiums a day later. Leader of the Blues in the absence of Léon Marchand, Maxime Grousset won the silver medal in the 50m butterfly.
In an incredible final, several swimmers competed for victory by a few centimeters. On the touchline, it was finally the Italian Thomas Ceccon who won in front of his home crowd in Rome. Diogo Matos Ribeiro completes the podium, ahead of Nyls Korstanje, yet the big favourite. After beating his personal best the day before in 22″90, Maxime Grousset achieved his second best time over this distance, in 22″97.
Second best career time
A few moments later, her compatriot Charlotte Bonnet rushed into the final of the 100m freestyle. The Frenchwoman also won the silver medal, after taking the lead after the first 50 meters. “It’s a small touch of bitterness not to win, necessarily. But the last three years have been so difficult that I can’t help being happy with this silver medal,” she told France TV after her final.
“I have no regrets to have. I can’t spit on it and I’m super happy,” adds the 27-year-old swimmer, who finished her race in 53″62. In front of her, it is the young Dutch Marrit Steenbergen who wins gold, in 53″24.
Already bronze medalist in the technical event on Thursday, the French artistic swimming team again won third place, this time in the highlight event.
