France’s Swimming Federation unveiled its 2025 Singapore World Championships team, blending veterans like Florent Manaudou with rising rookies. The 32-athlete squad targets top-5 finishes amid U.S.-Australia rivalry.
Paris, Oct. 5 – The wait is over for swimming fans: France’s Swimming Federation (FFN) officially released its roster for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, dropping the 32-athlete lineup in a highly anticipated press conference Tuesday. It’s a mix of household names and fresh faces, designed to go toe-to-toe with powerhouses like the U.S. and Australia when the meet kicks off next month.
The Roster Breakdown: Veterans Lead the Charge
Let’s cut to the stars everyone’s here to see. Florent Manaudou, the 35-year-old sprint legend and 2012 Olympic gold medalist, headlines the squad—his seventh Worlds appearance. He’s set to race the 50m freestyle and 4x100m relay, events where he’s still clocking times that make rivals sweat. “This isn’t a victory lap,” Manaudou told reporters with a grin. “Singapore’s where I prove I still belong in the conversation.”
He’s not alone in the veteran club. Léa Cattelain, the 29-year-old breaststroke specialist who took bronze in Fukuoka 2023, is back for more, while open water standout Clemence Richard gets another shot at the 10km race after narrowly missing the podium last year. Rounding out the experienced core is relay ace Maxime Grousset, whose 100m freestyle speed could be the difference in France’s bid for relay gold.
Rookies to Watch: France’s Next Wave
For every Manaudou, there’s a kid ready to make their mark—and this roster’s loaded with them. 18-year-old backstroker Jade Grillet-Aubert, fresh off breaking the junior national record in the 200m back, earned her spot with a blistering performance at June’s French Championships. Coaches are calling her a “once-in-a-decade talent” who could upset favorites from Canada and Japan.
Then there’s 19-year-old Hugo Cailhol, a butterfly specialist who’s been turning heads in training. “He’s got that ‘it’ factor—no fear, just speed,” FFN head coach Romain Barnier said. “Rookies like him keep the veterans sharp. This team’s got energy, and that’s dangerous.” Unsurprisingly, #FrenchSwimRookies trended on Twitter within hours, with fans already drafting their “I called it first” tweets for Singapore.
Medal Goals: Where France Can Strike Gold
FFN isn’t shy about its ambitions: a top-5 finish in the medal table, up from 7th in 2023. The team’s best shots? Manaudou’s 50m free, Cattelain’s 200m breaststroke, and the men’s 4x100m medley relay—a event France won silver in last year and is hungry to upgrade.
Open water could also be a sleeper hit. Richard, alongside teammate Marc-Antoine Olivier, forms a dynamic duo in the 10km and 5km races, where France has historically punched above its weight. “Open water’s where we’ve got a secret weapon,” Barnier explained. “The competition’s tough, but our athletes train in the English Channel—nothing scares them.”
The Singapore Showdown: A Preview of Paris 2026
For France, this Worlds isn’t just about medals—it’s a dress rehearsal for the 2026 European Championships in Paris, where home crowds will be watching. Every race in Singapore is a chance to test strategy, build chemistry, and iron out kinks before the pressure cranks up next year.
It also fits into the bigger global swimming narrative: the U.S.-Australia dominance is real, but countries like France and Italy are closing the gap. “We’re not here to play second fiddle,” Manaudou said. “This team’s got the goods to shake things up.”
As the squad heads into its final training camp in Nice, the buzz is palpable. France’s swimming fans are already placing their bets on Twitter, with #FranceSwim2025 gaining traction. Singapore’s pools are about to get a dose of French flair—and if this roster delivers, it’ll be a meet no one forgets.