Manaudou returns to handball: a champion inspires antibes!

Manaudou returns to handball: a champion inspires antibes!

In a surprising turn, the French swimming star Florent Manaudou returns to his first passion. Despite his remarkable career, which made him an Olympic champion and double bronze winner at the Olympic Games in Paris, the almost 34-year-old does not intend to end his swimming career. Instead, he will expand his fitness and preparations by playing handball.

Manaudou, who is currently lives on the Côte d’Azur and has been training in Antibois since 2022, joins the handball club in Antibes, which is playing in national 2. He sees handball as a way to break out of his routine and have fun while working on his physical fitness at the same time. "Handball is a real passion for me, which enables me to have fun and to develop physically," he said on the club's Facebook page.

a return to the roots

The origin of Manaudou's enthusiasm for handball goes far back. The athlete actively played handball in his childhood, but a punishment from his mother led him to lose his license for sport. However, this early interruption did not prevent him from continuing to develop a passion for handball. A few years ago, he expressed the wish to immerse yourself in the handball events after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, and seriously trained in a club for several months that is known for his connection to the handball brothers.

The swimmer has emphasized several times that his return to handball is not to be understood as a change of career. Instead, he sees it as a way to spice up his training and get joy added. "Super happy that I can integrate the handball into my preparation," said Manaudou, his enthusiasm for the sporty Ginnastica.

response of the club

For the handball club in Antibes, the commitment of such a large champion is an honor. The club has just received Manaudou after the Olympic Games, where he acted as the flag bearer of the French Olympic team. The participation of Manaudou is considered with great anticipation, since his presence could both motivate and inspire the team, especially in view of his charism and showman qualities.