Report: France's Manaudou prepared for life in public eye

PARIS (AP) -- French swimmer Laure Manaudou knows life will never be the same after clinching three medals at the Olympic Games, she said in an interview published Monday.

The 17-year-old offered France its first swimming gold medal in over half a century, winning the 400-meter freestyle on Aug. 15. She took bronze the next day in the 100-meter backstroke and later clinched silver in the 800-meter freestyle.

"I think many things are going to change for me back home," she told L'Equipe sports newspaper. "People will recognize me in the streets. I must be careful not to spotted at celebrity parties. But it will also enable me to get more sponsorship."

In 1952, Jean Boiteux won gold for France. Now, 52 years later, Manaudou has rekindled the interest in the sport back home.

She started swimming 11 years ago and was crowned national champion in 2000.

Success quickly followed, with the European Junior title at 100-meter backstroke. In 2003, Manaudou won titles in five different categories at the French championships, breaking four national records.

Her sole objective at the Athens Games was gold in the 400-meter freestyle -- and she had no doubt about doing it.

"I trained for three years with that objective. I didn't come to finish second," she told L'Equipe. "I knew I was capable."

The other medals were less expected.

"My objective was gold in the 400. I was a bit surprised by silver in the 800. I thought the final would be faster," she said. "The bronze in the 100 was a bonus."

Despite her success, Manaudou remains modest.

"I'm a normal swimmer. I'm not proud of myself, more of my coach," she said. "I'm not easy to put up with every day."

Manaudou is now setting her sights on two further challenges: victory at the World Swimming Championships in Montreal, Canada, next year; and breaking the long-standing world record in the 400-meter freestyle.

"It's hard to aim higher! But I am still missing the world title. I will see about that in Montreal next summer," she said.

In 1988, Janet Evans swam 4 minutes, 3.85 seconds in the 400-meter freestyle, a record that still stands. When Manaudou took gold, she touched home in 4 minutes, 5.34 seconds.

Evans, a triple gold medalist from the 1988 Seoul Games -- whose world record in the 800-meter freestyle also stands -- told Manaudou she can break the 400-meter record.

"She thinks I am well capable," Manaudou, who arrived back in Paris late Sunday night, said.

(jp-ad)