Florent Manaudou: “Hungarian spectators are amazing”

Florent Manaudou, Olympic, world and European champion swimmer, one of the most renowned specialists of men’s 50m freestyle has debuted at the 17th FINA World Championships in Budapest in a totally different role. At the invitation of the French national TV channel he arrived in Budapest as a specialist commentator and observed his fellows competing from TV grandstands.

After claiming silver in Rio the French sprinted announced to suspend his career temporarily and since last September he has been a member of Aix-en-Provence handball team. In Budapest he returned to swimming, but only in theory and just for a few days.

First of all I am really happy to be here at the World Championships. I stopped swimming last summer and it feels great to work here, see my fellow swimmers again, with whom I was racing together not so long ago. It was fantastic to follow and commentate my friends, Camille and Jeremy’s performance (Camille Lacourt and Jeremy Stravius – entrants in men’s 50m backstroke). However, I must admit it feels a bit weird to sit on the opposite side, outside the pool where I always used to play.

(Photo: Facebook/Florent Manaudou)

Have you tried the pool?

I have. Thanks to my new role I had the opportunity to enter the media relay. What is more, in the French media relay team I swam together with the greatest idol of my childhood, Xavier Marchand. I was 8 when in 1998 he claimed silver in 200m medley at the Perth World Championships. It was the greatest privilege for me.  I liked the pool a lot, I think it is really fast, but since I am not into regular training any more, I cannot evaluate it in details. The outstanding results achieved this week speak for themselves and confirm my view. The atmosphere generated by Hungarian fans is truly amazing.

You can read the full interview here.

(Via: fina-budapest2017.com / Photo: Facebook/Florent Manaudou)

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