Riding Consistent Wave of Performances, Maxime Grousset Could Threaten World Record in 100 Butterfly
The world record in the 100-meter butterfly has belonged to the United States’ Caeleb Dressel at 49.45 since the Summer of 2021. That performance landed Dressel Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games, where the American also stood on top of the podium in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle. Whether Dressel remains the world-record holder in the 100 fly come the end of the summer is questionable.
Although Leon Marchand is the headliner of the French arsenal, countryman Maxime Grousset has established himself as one of the sport’s premier athletes over the past few years. That identity is confirmed by Grousset’s 10 World Championships medals, of which seven have been earned in individual action. On a pair of occasions (2023/2025), Grousset has secured the world title in the 100 fly, and a world-record chase in the event can be expected in the near future.
Due to the absence of a global-championship competition in 2026, Grousset will place his summer emphasis on the European Championships, scheduled for Paris. In front of a home crowd would be the ideal setting for a global record, and Grousset surely has a chance to accomplish the feat in the 100 fly. He currently ranks as the No. 2 performer in history, behind the 49.62 mark he produced at last year’s World Championships in Singapore.
Prior to 2023, Grousset primarily placed his focus on the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle, along with the 50 butterfly. However, a year before the 2024 Olympic Games, he opted to add the 100 butterfly to his program – a decision that has paid off. Since adopting the 100 fly, Grousset has been a prominent force, clocking 50.14 in 2023, 50.41 in 2024 and his European record of 49.62 in 2025. This year, he’s already been 50.95, during an appearance at the TYR Pro Series stop in Austin.
Can Grousset maintain his momentum and threaten Dressel’s world record at the European Champs? His recent trajectory suggests such potential, along with the talent that will be present in the French capital. While Grousset will be the favorite for gold in the 100 fly, he’ll be pushed by Hungarian Kristof Milak and Switzerland’s Noe Ponti. Milak is the reigning Olympic champ in the event, and recently popped a 50.22 outing at the Hungarian Championships. As for Ponti, he was the silver medalist at last year’s World Champs, going 49.83.
Grousset will first navigate the French Trials for Euros. From there, his attention will shift to Paris and the European Champs. If a world record is delivered by Grousset at the continental meet, it wouldn’t be a surprise. After all, the veteran has been consistently moving in that direction.