Overview
- The 100m backstroke final at the French Championships broke down on Wednesday, July 1 when the starter delayed about three seconds before the sound, producing a confused start and prompting officials to stop the race.
- Officials cited the rule that a missed start by the judge-arbitre must be rerun and set the replay for Thursday, July 2 at 18:00, the last evening of the meet.
- Swimmers reacted unevenly: Clément Secchi did not leave the blocks, while Yohann Ndoye-Brouard and Mewen Tomac sat back before swimming, and Ndoye-Brouard showed visible anger at the aborted finish.
- Video and reporting showed arbiters unsure how to proceed at poolside and a puzzled crowd in the stands, raising questions about the event's start procedures and technical handling.
- When the final was replayed on July 2, Yohann Ndoye-Brouard won to complete a 50-100-200 backstroke sweep, a result that resolved the medal race but left scrutiny on officiating and the effect of compressed recovery for competitors.