Out of the 23 Azur athletes selected for the London Olympic Games, there are no fewer than 8 swimmers. Six of them are promising talents in French swimming. Young but strong, they dream of making a big splash in the pools of London.
The delegation of Azur athletes selected or qualified for the London Olympic Games is full of quality. However, every sports competition comes with its share of surprises. Within the French swimming team, five Azur athletes are ready to do anything to get their first quarter-hour of fame. Profiles.
Charlotte Bonnet, the youngest (17 years old). It’s not easy to balance preparing for the Olympic Games with the Baccalaureate exams when you’re only 17. Registered with Olympic Nice Natation, Charlotte Bonnet is the youngest member of the Azur delegation.
In London, this teenager will be competing in her first Olympics. French champion of the 100 meters freestyle, Charlotte Bonnet won’t be defending her title in this event for a simple reason: time. Although she broke her personal record in 55″06, she did not meet the required 55″05. Just one hundredth of a second! Enough to be enraged!
No matter, the young girl has more than one trick up her sleeve. As the world champion of the 4 x 200 meters in Shanghai last year, Charlotte Bonnet is determined to push her way to the spotlight in London. Additionally, she will have the opportunity to shine in the 4 x 100 meters medley.
Margaux Farrell, the most American of the Azur athletes (21 years old). Born in New Jersey (United States), Margaux Farrell is the most English-speaking swimmer on the French team. In terms of communication, this journalism student at Indiana University in Bloomington has a significant advantage over her teammates.
But before performing in front of the microphones and cameras, Margaux Farrell must excel in the water. European Vice-Champion in the 4 x 200 meters freestyle in Budapest, the French-American also shone at the French Championships. 5th in the 200 meters, Margaux Farrell managed to beat her personal record, cutting about 30 seconds from her reference time (1’59″31).
In London, she will compete in her first Olympic Games. Her main asset lies in her winning mentality. And it’s no coincidence, as Margaux Farrell is none other than the daughter of Sylvie Charrier, a little siren of the pools in the 70s.
Anna Santamans, the princess of the sprint (19 years old). Originally from Arles, Anna Santamans says it herself: she embodies “the renewal of women’s sprint”. She proved it by winning the 50 meters freestyle at the Elite French Championships in Dunkerque in 25″16.
In the same competition, the young woman (who is already being compared to Malia Metella) broke another personal record by winning the 50 meters butterfly in 26″64.
No one bet on her. Wrongly, especially since Anna Santamans achieves three excellent feats at once: she wins, breaks two personal records, and qualifies for her first Olympic Games in the 50 meters freestyle. Enough to make her opponents shiver!
Damien Joly, the middle-distance swimmer (20 years old). The 1,500 meters freestyle is Damien Joly’s specialty. Second in the event at the French Championships in Dunkerque, the native of Oullioules (Var) reached his personal record in 15’02″43.
Having just celebrated his 20th birthday, Damien Joly will experience the first Olympic Games of his career in London. Trained by Frédéric Barale, this middle-distance swimmer is eager to make his mark in the longest race of the competition.
Clément Lefert, the versatile (25 years old). Nice-born Clément Lefert has the most extensive range of all the Azur swimmers. Able to switch from butterfly to freestyle, he quickly made his mark in the pools.
In 2009, he had the luxury of erasing Frédérick Bousquet’s national record in the 100 meters butterfly (51″42, or -0″08). The following year, he won bronze in the 4 x 200 meters freestyle relay at the European Championships in Budapest (Hungary) in 2010.
Last spring, Clément Lefert continued his winning streak at the French Championships in the 100 meters butterfly (52″48) and set records in the 200 meters freestyle (1’46″90) and 100 meters freestyle (48″64). This versatility makes the Nice-born swimmer the greatest medal hope(s) at the Olympics.
Sara Labrousse, the perfect outsider (23 years old). With Chloé Willhelm, Sara Labrousse will form the duo that will represent France at the London Olympic Games for synchronized swimming.
The recent performances at the World Championships of this oceanography master’s student do not place her among the favorites. With her partner, the Lyonnaise — registered in Hyères (Var) — displays great complicity. This can become a strength at any moment.
Sixth in the duo with Chloé Willhelm at the World Championships in Eindhoven (Netherlands), Sara Labrousse will still have to fight hard for a chance at a medal. Without pressure, will the French duo manage to synchronize their choreography?
