European Swimming Championships: 'In the water, your best friend becomes your worst enemy,' says Noè Ponti

Swiss swimmer Noè Ponti, the current world record holder in the 50m butterfly, is setting his sights on the upcoming European Championships in Paris. Ponti shared his ambitions for the competition, emphasizing the unique dynamic he shares with French swimmer Maxime Grousset.

Ponti described his relationship with Grousset as one of both friendship outside the pool and a beneficial rivalry within it. "I produce my best performances against him, he produces his, we have our best races against each other, so I think we stimulate each other reciprocally," Ponti stated.

This dynamic was particularly evident at the World Championships in Singapore a year prior, where Grousset secured titles in both the 50m and 100m butterfly, with Ponti as his closest competitor. Ponti acknowledged that these head-to-head races often bring out their peak performances.

Looking back, Ponti also recalled his performance at the Olympic Games, where he narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in the 100m butterfly and fifth in the 200m butterfly. Those races were won by Léon Marchand, adding another layer to the competitive landscape he navigates. Ponti's reflections underscore a career marked by fierce competition and a drive for excellence on the international stage.

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I produce my best performances against him, he produces his, we have our best races against each other, so I think we stimulate each other reciprocally.