2017 FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Sunday, July 23rd – Sunday, July 30th
- Budapest, Hungary
- LCM (50m)
- Full Competition Schedule
- Meet Info
- Psych Sheets
- Omega Results
- Pick ’em Contest
- Event-by-Event Previews
It was the last race in a storied career for French backstroker Camille Lacourt. And he went out on top, earning a third consecutive World Championship title in his signature event, the 50m backstroke. Lacourt had announced at the end of 2016 that he would retire from competitive swimming after Budapest, but that he would give the 50 back one last go.
It was a fitting end for the champion. With three stellar performances (second in heats with 24.58, first in semi-finals with 24.30, then first in the final with 24.35), he ascended to the top step of the podium one last time to hear the French national hymn, “La Marseillaise.”
“I have lived with a lot of emotion being on the podium for the last time of my career. All the difficult moments came back to my head. All the people that have supported me. Hearing the “Marseillaise” was extremely emotional. I had decided this would be the last one well before the Rio games. This was my personal move.
“I am going to remember how I have been able to stand after falling many times. I have come back and improved and this is going to serve me so much in my life.”
Lacourt praised the host nation for its organization of the 2017 World Championships. “Budapest 2017 was very well organized, like all World Championships. But what was amazing here was the crowd. It was definitely one of the best competitions of my career.”
So what’s next for Lacourt? “I have opened a restaurant in Paris, 6eme arrondissement, and I am doing coaching in companies. These are things I really enjoy doing now,” he said. “I am going to miss the adrenaline the most. These very tense moment in the call room, when the level goes up. But I won’t miss training at all.”
I need to have a better look to be sure but I think Camille as not just handsome but beautiful .
This is where the US swimmers have an advantage: in college and after, they find it easier to train as a group.
Tell this to MA.
Tremendous decision to retire. I applaud his great instincts.
I don’t follow the 50s closely but after watching that race today with Lacourt so thrilled after the race I was thinking that if he knows what’s good for him he’ll call it quits. Come back two years from now and you can do all the right things and be lucky to get 6th.
The 50 swimmers can be competitive to older age than 100 and up. Similar to senior golfers who can hang in there with the youngsters for one round but not four. But it’s ridiculous to use examples like Ervin or Torres. That is the exception, not the rule. The spotlight should always be on the rule.… Read more »
best of luck to lacourt.
Do all French elite swimmers absolutely hate training? I remember that was an issue for Laure Manadou also.
well, training is a lot of work, and the french love their time off … 😉
Laure Manaudou’s training was absolutely brutal under Phillipe Lucas, can’t blame her.
i dont think anyone likes training, just most people can see the benefit of it
Seriously, how much training is there for a 50 back? It’s not like he’s knocking heads with Ledecky.
Go away with your troll ass comments.