Laure Manaudou

Full Name:	Laure Manaudou
Born:	October 09th, 2013
	Villeurbaunne, France
Nationality:	France
Status:	Retired

Laure Manaudou was born on October 9, 1986 in Villeurbanne, France. She has competed in three Olympics since her first major international appearance in 2004. Though she has settled and retired, she has left several permanent marks on the sport of swimming, and was, for a time, an unfortunate target of much of the sport’s gossip in the mid-2000s – the price she paid for youthful glory. 2004 Olympic Games and early international appearances Leading up to the Athens Olympics, 17 year-old Manaudou surfaced internationally when she won three gold medals at the 2004 European Swimming Championships in the 100 back, 400-meter free, and the 400 free relay. In Athens, Manaudou earned three medals as well – a gold, silver, and bronze. The gold, won in the 400-meter freestyle, was France’s first Olympic win in women’s swimming. Manaudou also came in second in the 800-meter free, and captured the bronze in the 100 back. The following summer, she earned her first World Championship title in the 400 free. For the next year, she chased Janet Evan’s 18 year-old world record in the event, finally smashing it in May 2006 during French championships. Manaudou bettered that record several months later at the European Swimming Championships …

Seebohm Breaks Australian Record in Day 2 Prelims; Missy 2nd

Australia’s Emily Seebohm came within a stroke of the World Record in prelims of the 100 back. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Dave and Gary Discuss the Sport’s Greatest, Kind Of

David: Coming in at number five: Shirley Babashoff. Queen Shali Baba was as good as they come, and one of the few people I can think of where saying “she went postal” means she went on to have a great job with benefits.

Family at the Picadilly Circus: 11 Sets of Siblings Set to Swim in London

The sisters Anderson (Haley and Alyssa) are not the only siblings going to London. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Picks: Missy and Lochte Favorites, But Traps Await in 200 Backstroke

(Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Belmonte Breaks National Record to End Maria Lenk

Pereira and Orzechowski fought for a big-time Olympic roster spot. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

No,…not that Manaudou!

Brother and Sister Manaudou to lead the French Olympic effort

Cielo, Ottesen Blast Textile-Bests

With the wind at their backs, back-to-back textile bests went down on Thursday at the 2012 Maria Lenk Trophy. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

In Briefs: Silva 59.6 Already in Prelims at Maria Lenk

He’s not quite hitting the WR yet, but Felipe Franca looked GOOD in prelims. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

De Lucca, Friis Break Meet Records on Day 1 at Maria Lenk

Joao de Lucca’s long-course potential started to come out on day 1 at Maria Lenk. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

2012 Maria Lenk Trophy Preview

Cielo and the sprinters will be in the primary focus at Brazil’s biggest Olympic Trials meet. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Survival of the Fittest

Philippe Lucas pushing his athletes to Olympic success in London

France Pegs 41 for European Championships, Bousquet; Ress Included

The lofty French standards for the Olympics resulted in a team of only 29 headed to London, but a more-lenient…

In Briefs: Interesting Post-Meet Comments from Manaudou

After last week’s French Olympic Trials wrapped up in Dunkerque, comeback swimmer Laure Manaudou, who earned her spot in London…

France Names 29 to 2012 Olympic Roster

Clement Lefert is one of 29 swimmers who were named to the French Olympic Team this weekend. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

McGill Goes World’s #2 100 Fly Time; Bousquet Misses Olympic Team on Day 7 in France

Tyler McGill brought big American interest to the French Olympic Trials, while an era may have ended in French sprinting. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)