Both the young French Yohann Ndoye Brouard and Mewen Tomac, who are competing in their first Olympics, stalled in the semi-finals of the 100m backstroke, with the first being surprised by the wall at the turn and being disqualified, on Monday, July 26 in Tokyo.
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“I did not see the flags, I thought I still had five meters left, and instead of turning around, I took the wall, said Ndoye Brouard, still incredulous. I took the wall in the Olympic semi-final when the final was accessible.
“I am disgusted. I don’t yet realize that I just missed this opportunity. I have never seen anyone that happened to… ”
“In my head, I saw myself slower than that when I was more powerful than usual, he tries to explain. Frankly, I had my best time, I was really good. That’s why I surprised myself, I thought the wall was much further.”
🏊❌ C’est terminé pour Mewen Tomac et Yohann Ndoye-Brouard, éliminés en demi-finale du 100 mètres dos. Ce dernier a même été disqualifié après avoir manqué son virage #Tokyo2020 #JeuxOlympiques
Suivez les J.O. en direct ▶ https://t.co/sufil7RauY pic.twitter.com/ra0XbsZW8k
— France tv sport (@francetvsport) July 26, 2021
“I have the impression of swimming well, and arrived at 80-85 meters, I crack a lot, and that costs me a place in the final, declares he does.” Tomac who only swam the 14th time in 53 seconds 62 said.
“At the turn, I see Yohann [Ndoye Brouard, at the lane next door, Editor’s note] completely behind, and I want to put too much because I don’t really know where I am,” he added.
The semi-finals were won by American Ryan Murphy, the reigning Olympic champion, in 52 seconds and 24 seconds. However, the time to enter the final, finally 53 seconds 20, was well within the capabilities of the two young Frenchmen, who have personal bests under 53 seconds.
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Ndoye Brouard earned his first individual international podium appearance in mid-May when he won European bronze over the distance. He and Tomac must still swim the 200m backstroke in the Tokyo basin.
