The evening of July 31 could be historic for French swimming with several medals in sight for the French delegation.
22:01 – Tomac 5th in the semi-final, Ndoye-Brouard 8th
Despite a very good race, Mewen Tomac finished in fifth place in this second semi-final of the 200m backstroke but qualified for the Olympic final thanks to an excellent time. There will therefore be a Frenchman in the final of the 200m backstroke tomorrow evening! On the other hand, it’s over for Yohann Ndoye-Brouard, who was dropped quite quickly and finished in 8th place.
21:57 – Two French in the second semi-final
Two Frenchmen are in the running in the second semi-final of the 200m backstroke: Mewen Tomac, at lane 1, and Yohann Ndoye-Brouard, at lane 8. The first semi-final was not very fast, which could allow them to enter the Olympic final tomorrow.
21:53 – Kos wins the first semi-final of the 200m backstroke
Hungarian Hubert Kos easily won the first semi-final of the 200m backstroke, controlling it from start to finish in 1’55″96, ahead of German Lukas Maertens and Spaniard Hugo Gonzalez de Oliveira.
21:47 – Ledecky in history
Already crowned in Tokyo in 2021 in the 1500m for the appearance of the distance in the women’s category, Katie Ledecky repeated the feat in Paris to win her eighth Olympic title, twelve years after her breakthrough at the London Olympics at the age of 15. Now aged 27, the American could become the most decorated woman in Olympic history this week, alongside gymnast Larissa Latynina and her nine gold medals. In the 800m, her favourite distance, she will be aiming for a fourth consecutive title at the Olympics. A feat only achieved by Michael Phelps in the 200m individual medley between 2004 and 2016.
21:43 – Men’s 200m backstroke semi-finals begin
After this ceremony which set the Parisian stadium ablaze, it is now time for the semi-finals of the 200m backstroke. Two Frenchmen will be competing in the second: Mewen Tomac and Yohann Ndoye-Brouard.
21:38 – Marchand receives his gold medal in the 200m butterfly
While waiting to perhaps go for a second title in a few minutes, Léon Marchand is enjoying the pleasure of a Marseillaise in this arena, after receiving the gold medal for his victory in the 200m butterfly earlier in the evening. But the Frenchman still has one to go for, in the 200m breaststroke. It will be at 10:15 p.m.
21:35 – French record for Anastasiia Kirpichnikova
Anastasiia Kirpichnikova put in a superb performance tonight and gave France another silver medal. In 15’40″35, she smashed the French record by more than 8 seconds as a bonus.
21:33 – Ledecky wins in front of Kirpichnikova!
Silver medal for the Frenchwoman Anastasiia Kirpichnikova! She held her own in the last 100 meters against the comeback of the German Isabel Gose, who finished third in this race inevitably won by the American Katie Ledecky, who won an eighth Olympic title with a new Olympic record to boot.
21:31 – Kirpichnikova holds on!
Anastasiia Kirpichnikova does not let up and, pushed by the French public, keeps her second place for the moment 100 meters from the finish. Everything will be decided now!
21:29 – Kirpichnikova 2nd at 300 meters from the finish
With 300 meters to go, Anastasiia Kirpichnikova is still second in the race behind Katie Ledecky, but Quadarella and Bose are still behind, about two seconds behind.
21:26 – Anastasiia Kirpichnikova still in the running for the medal
Anastasiia Kirpichnikova continues her superb race and keeps a lead over Quadarella and the German Isabel Gose, who is back in the race for the podium. The Frenchwoman has a one-second lead over the two swimmers.
21:22 – At 500m, Kirpichnikova still 2nd
After a third of the race, Anastasiia Kirpichnikova is holding on to second place for the moment, one second ahead of the Italian Quadarella.
21:19 – Kirpichnikova well placed
After 300 meters and about 3 minutes of racing, Anastasiia Kirpichnikova is well placed, in second place behind the untouchable Katie Ledecky who seems set for a new title, while she is on the verge of her world record.
21:16 – Here we go for this 1500m final!
The swimmers are taking to the beautiful La Défense pool for the 1500m freestyle final. Frenchwoman Anastasiia Kirpichnikova hopes to create a surprise for the bronze medal behind Katie Ledecky and Simona Quadarella.
21:12 – Time for the women’s 1500m freestyle
After the medal ceremony for the women’s 100m freestyle, it’s now time for the women’s 1500m freestyle and the expected new victory of Katie Ledecky, the greatest swimmer in history.
The swimming events will begin on Saturday, July 27, with the first medals awarded in the evening, with the finals of the 400 meters and the 4x100m freestyle. The events will last nine days, until Sunday, August 4.
The pool swimming events will take place at the Défense Arena in Nanterre. The open water swimming will take place in the Seine, with a finish at the Pont Alexandre III. Finally, diving, water polo and artistic swimming will be at the Aquatique centre in Saint-Denis.
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