Manaudou's decision to focus on swimming was influenced by his family's sporting background. His father played handball, and his mother played badminton. He also played handball until age 15 before fully committing to swimming after being inspired by his sister Laure's Olympic gold medal win in 2004.

Club and Coaching

Manaudou is currently registered with CN Marseille in France. Since October 2021, he has been training under coaches Quentin Colon and Yoris Grandjean in Antibes, France. He previously trained with Julien Jacquier and James Gibson but switched due to logistical issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Injuries and Setbacks

Throughout his career, Manaudou has faced several injuries. A shoulder injury in 2013 prevented him from competing at the European short course championships. In 2015, a wrist injury forced him to miss the Military World Games. In December 2018, he fractured his left little finger, delaying his return to training until April 2019.

Awards and Recognition

Manaudou has received numerous accolades. In 2020, he was awarded the Medal of the City of Porto-Vecchio. He was named French Athlete of the Year in 2015 by several French media outlets. In 2014, he received the Male Swimmer of the Year award from the European Swimming Federation and was named European Male Swimmer of the Year by SwimSwam.

Retirement and Comeback

In 2019, after nearly three years away from competitive swimming to play handball with PAUC club in Aix-en-Provence, Manaudou decided to return to swimming. He resumed training with James Gibson in Antalya, Turkey, and returned to competition in June 2019 in Rome, Italy.

Changes in Physique

Manaudou noted changes in his physique after playing handball. He mentioned that while he gained stronger legs and upper body power, he lost some elasticity. Despite this, he believes he can swim faster than before due to increased strength.

Personal Life

Manaudou resides in Antibes, France, with his partner Pernille Blume, who is also an accomplished swimmer from Denmark. Blume won gold in the 50m freestyle at the 2016 Olympic Games and bronze at the 2020 Games.

Business Ventures

Apart from swimming, Manaudou is a business owner. In 2016, he opened a restaurant called La Piscine (The Swimming Pool) in Marseille, France.

Future Ambitions

Looking ahead, Manaudou aims to win a medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. His dedication to training and overcoming past challenges positions him as a strong contender for future competitions.

Manaudou's journey reflects his resilience and passion for swimming. His ability to navigate through injuries and make successful comebacks highlights his commitment to excellence in sports.