Yohann Ndoye Brouard will look to end his breakthrough year at swimming’s top table with further silverware in Melbourne as a home Games in Paris moves ever closer.
The Frenchman won his first international title at the European Championships in Rome in August in the 200m backstroke despite having to swim a solo semifinal because of a starting ledge malfunction.
The 22-year-old also claimed bronze in the 100 back and silver in the men’s medley relay at the Foro Italico, a year after he made his Olympic debut in Tokyo.
Next up are the World Short-Course Championships where he’s entered in the 100 and 200 back alongside the likes of Ryan Murphy, Shaine Casas and Thomas Ceccon while France teammate Mewen Tomac won the 50-100-200 backstroke treble at last month’s national championships.
Of his short-course prospects and beyond, Ndoye Broaurd told Swimming World ahead of nationals:
“It’s not my speciality, I am not so good in underwater and there are people who are great in France in underwater.
“It will be hard but it’s possible for me to get there so the worlds will be in December and then I will go to Fukuoka for the World Championships if I qualify.”
Within Sight Of Paris
By the time 2023 arrives, the Olympics in Paris will be less than 19 months hence.
Ndoye Brouard lives and trains in the French capital where all around he has seen the stadia and facilities develop and listened as politicians debate the Games over the years.
Photo Courtesy:
Competing at a home Olympics is a dream, especially after a mixed experience in Tokyo where no spectators made for an eerie atmosphere.
He was DQd from the 100 back after crashing into the wall at the halfway point and coming to a complete stop before finishing ninth over 200, locked out of the final by one place and 0.14secs.
Ndoye Brouard recalls:
“I remember watching the 100 free and we could hear the guys breathing before and after the race; if they were talking together we can hear them.
“It was a bit bizarre so I really want to make a great Olympics with a lot of people; with my family in the pool. I really want to see a lot of people together cheering for one nation. I really want to see that in Paris because I think that would be very good.
“There were like 8,000 people in the Foro Italico (at the European Championships) and I think there will be 20,000 in Paris so it is not possible, I cannot imagine that!”
Ndoye Brouard believes to reach the podium on Paris will take 51.8 over 100 and 1:54 in the 200.
Currently his PBs stand at 52.50 – from fourth at the 2022 World Championships – and his French record of 1:55.62 set en-route to European gold.
Last year’s travails have given him confidence: Ndoye Brouard’s training from September 2021 through to February 2022 being completely disrupted by injury before intense training accompanied by physiotherapy and hydrotherapy saw him drop a second between French nationals and worlds.
There are shoulder issues to contend with at times but a repeat of the quality of work in those six months gives Ndoye Brouard confidence that those times are within reach.
“I think it is really realistic; I think I can do it and I will do what I can do to reach this goal.”
The French Backstroke Tradition
Ndoye Brouard moved to Paris in 2018 where he has now been joined by younger sister Maty, a former European junior swimmer and butterfly specialist who also has her eyes on the Games.
He is coached by Michel Chretien who guided Jeremy Stravius to two Olympic medals and four world and European titles.
Yohann Ndoye Brouard: Photo Courtesy: Gian Mattia D’Alberto – LaPresse
France has a tradition of fine backstrokers including five-time world champion Camille Lacourt – whose French 100 back record of 52.11 has stood since 2010 – and Benjamin Stasiulis as well as Stravius.
Of continuing such a tradition, Ndoye Brouard said:
“Camille is the commentator for French TV. I see him at worlds and Europeans so we are chatting…….He gave me a lot of advice so it is really good to speak with him and Jeremy is swimming with a club in Paris so I can see him at nationals and I can speak with him too.
“They are two big champions; they were world champions and I don’t have a medal at the worlds.
“So I really want to improve to get like them and I think I am far from them and I have to improve a lot so it is a big motivation for me.
“(It is) inspiration (for me) – but I don’t have the French record on the 100 back so I really want to have it.
“It’s 52.1 so if I swum 52.1 it would be very good.”
Marchand And The French Prospects For Paris
As well as Ndoye Brouard and Tomac, a number of young French swimmers have emerged on the international stage ahead of Paris 2024.
Leon Marchand has done so in quite startling fashion, going within 0.44 of Michael Phelps‘ 400IM world record in a European mark of 4:04.28 at the World Championships in Budapest before going on to complete the IM double.
Maxime Grousset claimed bronze and silver in the 50 and 100 free while Analia Pigree took third over 50 back among an overall total of eight in the pool.
Yohann Ndoye Brouard: Photo Courtesy: Alfreedo Falcone/LaPresse
A mix of youth and experience has blended together to hint at something special to come in front of a home crowd in July 2024.
Ndoye Brouard said:
“It’s great because we are all young and we are knowing each other.
“I train with Mary-Ambre (Moluh) and Maxime in Paris: we all have the same goals – to be great in Paris.
“It is a big motivation every day and Leon is – in French we say a locomotive – the thing in the train who is pushing the train to go very fast. We call it like this.
“He was first to swim at the worlds and he won the 4IM and then everybody was great – Marie Wattel, Maxime Grousset, Melanie Henique, Analia Pigree – we won eight medals so it was great.
“I didn’t get one but I hope to get a medal at the next World Championships with all these amazing people.”