Rafael Fuente-Dammer finished second in the 100-meter freestyle final at the French Olympic Trials on Tuesday, booking his place at the Paris Olympics, but the teenager’s joy came at the cost of a shoulder injury.
Fuente-Damer, who finished runner-up to Maxime Gourset in Chartres and was selected for France’s 4x100m relay team, recorded a personal best of 48.14 seconds, beating his Olympic qualifying time of 48.34 seconds.
Immediately after the race, the 17-year-old was seen excitedly slapping the water and then clutching his left shoulder in pain.
He was later photographed on the podium with his arm in a sling, and L’Equipe reported that he had dislocated his shoulder and was taken to hospital.
“I’m waiting for him in the relay and I hope it goes well,” said Gurset, who helped Fuente-Damaz out of the pool after the race to the attention of medical staff.
“He’s a little crazy, but that’s what’s great about him. He’s not afraid of anything, and I think he’ll only get better from here.”
Pool events at the Paris Olympics will take place at the La Défense Arena in Paris from July 27 to August 4.
