France’s Camille Muffat has scratched the semifinals of the women’s 100 free, where she was 13th in prelims in 54.84, to focus on the 800 free relay finals.
Muffat has been good, but not great, at this meet, after coming in with some heavy internal distractions, but hopes to regroup in this 800 free relay where the French took a bronze medal at last year’s Olympics. Even without Muffat’s services, they were through to the final in 5th place, and Muffat’s addition even without a world-beating swim from her (remember she was the bronze medalist in the individual 200 free) should knock at least 5 seconds off of the 7:56.3 they went in the prelims.
Given that they were only three seconds out of the top three seeds in prelims, that puts them right back in position to medal again, though of course most of the relays ahead of them should get faster in finals.