European Swimming Championships: 'Almost more relief than joy,' says champion Mary-Ambre Moluh

Mary-Ambre Moluh, a 20-year-old French swimmer, celebrated her first individual European title in the 100m backstroke at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris. She set a new European record with a time of 57.94 seconds, a performance that brought her immense relief.

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I'm going to be honest, I was super stressed all day. I felt the accumulation of all the races in my legs. I wasn't as fresh as when I did my 57.99 on the second day. I felt it was starting to get difficult. That's why I was stressed, amplified by the fact that I really hoped to live up to expectations, especially my own.

"I'm going to be honest, I was super stressed all day," Moluh said after the race. "I felt the accumulation of all the races in my legs. I wasn't as fresh as when I did my 57.99 on the second day." She explained that the pressure of meeting her own expectations amplified her stress. "When I finished, I felt almost more relief than joy. I told myself, 'It's done, it's over.'"

Moluh revealed she drew energy from within, reminding herself of her previous sub-58-second swims. "I told myself, 'Here, you're the one who swam under 58 seconds, not the others.' You have to stop being afraid, you just have to go for it." She credited her mental fortitude for pushing through the final 15 meters.

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When I finished, I felt almost more relief than joy. I told myself, 'It's done, it's over.' I'm super happy, it was a crazy race. The crowd, once again, was great, I don't think we can say that enough.

The victory was made even sweeter by her teammate Pauline Mahieu securing the bronze medal. "I'm super happy about that too," Moluh stated. "It's the first thing I saw when I touched the wall. We talked about doing a one-two, making a mark. She also set a great time, so it's great for the French duo. And here, in France, at home, it's even more extraordinary."

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In my gut. Actually, I don't know, I tried to reassure myself as best I could. I told myself, 'Here, you're the one who swam under 58 seconds, not the others.' You have to stop being afraid, you just have to go for it.

Moluh acknowledged that being the favorite added pressure, a new experience for her. However, she viewed it as valuable preparation for future goals, including the Olympics. "This competition has given me maximum experience," she said. "I think it was really the time to do it, two years before the Games, to get on the right track to be among the best in Los Angeles."

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I'm super happy about that too. It's the first thing I saw when I touched the wall. Well, almost, the second thing. We talked about doing a one-two, making a mark. She also set a great time, so it's great for the French duo. And here, in France, at home, it's even more extraordinary.