Dream Come True For Mewen Tomac As He Seals Tokyo Slot With 53.13 100 Back In Chartres

Mewen Tomac
Mewen Tomac: Photo Courtesy: KMSP/Stéphane Kempinaire

Mewen Tomac fulfilled a childhood dream by booking his ticket to Tokyo with a 53.13 victory in the 100 back at the French Olympic Trials in Chartres.

Out in 25.48 and back in 27.65, the 19-year-old went comfortably inside the cut of 53.85 to seal qualification.

Behind him came Yohann Ndoye Brouard, who won joint bronze at last month’s European Championships and already on the plane, in 53.47 with Geoffroy Mathieu (54.44) third.

It was a great relief to Tomac who made the qualification time at the FFN Golden Tour in Marseille in March but had lost out to Ndoye Brouard.

He told ffnatation.fr:

“The Games are a childhood dream. I didn’t think I would get there when I was little, I cannot wait to be there.

“But hey, I still have work to do. Tonight was not my best race. As I started a little fast, I paid the price for it on the way back, but I can swim even faster.

“When I was younger, the stress took over me a lot. So, I worked that with a mental trainer and now, I approach it better.”

The presence of Ndoye Brouard – his “best enemy” – will help both men and Tomac outlined his ambitions for Tokyo, predicting it will take a 52.6 to reach the final,

“We will have to do the best we can. First the semis.

“When I get there, we’ll think about the final and then we’ll see.

“I think the final is already a big goal. You will have to swim 52.6 to be sure to get there.”

No Tokyo Ticket For Muller

Aurelie Muller

Aurelie Muller: Photo Courtesy: KMSP/Stéphane Kempinaire

Two-time world 10k champion Aurelie Muller‘s Olympic dream came to an end when she set a personal best of 16:22.26 in the 1500 free but failed to make the cut.

Muller’s time was inside the FINA ‘A’ cut but outside the time of 16:21.21 laid down by the French selectors.

It has been a difficult five years for the 31-year-old who was disqualified in the marathon swimming at Rio 2016 after a dash for the board with Rachele Bruni of Italy.

The two-time world 10k champion was then distraught after failing to qualify in the open water after finishing 0.01 and one place outside the top 10 at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju.

She left Fabrice Pellerin‘s Nice stable three months ago to move to Fontainebleau where she has been working with Magali Merino, a switch she credits with increasing her confidence and has led to rediscover a love of the water.

After touching Muller expressed her exasperation and told ffnatation.fr:

“Well yeah, obviously, because I wanted my qualification.

“There was some frustration, but at the same time I’m really happy to have swam my best time.

“I did this in three months. I thank all the people who supported me during this time.

“For me, the environment is fundamental. Without it, I don’t thrive.”

Muller will now take a rest before competing in some open water events and then starting once more in earnest in September with eyes fully focused on the Paris 2024 podium.

She knows her history with the Games is complicated, saying:

“Yes, it’s true, but that’s also what makes her beautiful.

“Me, I need a challenge. I have proven it again today. We’ll see if it ends up smiling at me.”

Adeline Furst was next home in 16:32.69 with Lara Grangeon-De Villele third in 16:34.24.

Swede Louise Hansson won the 100 back in 1:00.25 ahead of Beryl Gastaldello (1:00.39) and Analia Pigree (1:00.50), the Frenchwomen both outside the cut.

Russian Anna Egorova won the 400 free in 4:09.49 ahead of Fantine Lesaffrewho booked her trip to Tokyo on Tuesday – in 4:15.35 and Marie Kuntzmann (4:18.16).

Antoine Viquerat won the men’s 50 breaststroke in 27.77 ahead of 100 winner Theo Bussiere (27.89) and Carl Aitkaci (27.93).Fanny Deberghes took the 100 breaststroke title in 1:08.76, leading home Justine Delmas (1:09.42) and Chloe Braun (1:10.55).

 

 


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