Maxime Grousset Will Give European Championships a Go Despite Foot Injury
Despite a broken left foot that forced his withdrawal from the French Elite Championships in June, Maxime Grousset said he will race at the European Championships in Paris. The swimming competition gets underway on August 10 and Grousset is expected to contest the 50-meter butterfly and 100 butterfly after the French Swimming Federation granted him a place on the team. Grousset could also race in the sprint freestyles and see relay duty.
“My foot is OK,” Grousset said in a pre-meet press conference. “It’s not 100 percent repaired. My shoulder is OK. My arms, too. But my legs, I don’t have a good preparation with my kick under the water, with my start. So it’s complicated to say I will be good in Paris, but I will do the best I can.”
Grousset is coming off the best season in his career, as he captured gold medals in the 50 butterfly and 100 butterfly at the 2025 World Championships in Singapore. In the 100 fly, Grousset clocked a time of 49.62 to become the No. 2 performer in history, behind only world-record holder Caeleb Dressel (49.45).
Grousset’s presence will also be critical to France’s relays, especially its medley relay. Already, there are doubts whether Leon Marchand, dealing with an adductor injury, will be able to handle the breaststroke leg of the medley relay. If Grousset’s injury affects him significantly, that would be an additional concern.
