Raphael Font-Dames booked his ticket to the Paris Olympics on Tuesday by finishing second in the 100m freestyle final at the French Olympic trials, but the teenager’s enthusiastic celebrations came at the cost of a shoulder injury.
Font-Dames, who finished behind Maxime Gruset in Chartres and also earned a spot on the French 4x100m relay team, set a personal best of 48.14 seconds, beating the Olympic qualifying mark of 48.34 seconds. .
After the game, the 17-year-old slapped the water excitedly, then covered his left shoulder in pain. He was later photographed hanging by his arms from the podium, and L’Equipe reported that he had dislocated his shoulder and was taken to hospital.
Hello @FFLose ! Rafael Fente-Damers 🏊♂️, an 18-year-old calf, qualified for the 100m freestyle at the Olympics (48 inches 14!) while… dislocating his shoulder. pic.twitter.com/Ux1feNMx51
— Ronan Caroff (@CaroffRonan) June 18, 2024
“I wish him the best because we’re waiting for him to join the relay,” Gruset said after the game, drawing the attention of the medical staff and helping Font-Damers out of the pool. “He’s a little bit crazy and that’s why he’s good. He’s not afraid of anything and I think he will improve.
The Paris Olympic swimming pool competition will be held from July 27 to August 4 at the Stade La Défense in Paris.
