MARSEILLE, France, April 6. VARIOUS reports from French media have surfaced that Laure Manaudou gave birth to a girl, named Manon, last weekend in Marseille, with father Frederick Bousquet at Manaudou's side.
Manon was born late Friday and weighed 3.7 kg, or a little more than 8 pounds. Manaudou and Bousquet have been deemed France's supercouple since the two announced their relationship last year, and the media covered Manaudou's pregnancy since the official announcement last fall.
Auburn coach Brett Hawke, who has helped guide Bousquet to international acclaim that included an Olympic medal and a brief reign as the world's fastest swimmer, was the first to break the news about the pregnancy on The Morning Swim Show. (Watch that episode here. Hawke's news regarding Bousquet occur at the 4:00 mark.)
Manaudou, the 2004 Olympic champion in the 400 free, announced her retirement from swimming in September 2009, while Bousquet is still very much a contender for the title of fastest man in the pool. He is scheduled to compete next week at the French nationals, which will serve as a selection meet for the French team going to the European championships.