Toulon's Damien Joly reaches the 1,500m final at the World Swimming Championships

Contract fulfilled for Damien Joly. The 33-year-old Toulon native qualified yesterday for the 1,500m freestyle final at the World Championships in Singapore. The goal the French team captain set for himself upon arriving in Asia.

The Ollioules native finished ^5th in the toughest series, in 14:51.06. This was the eighth fastest time, which meant he had the last ticket to the final.

"I'm happy to have transcribed what I do in training ," he reacted to the French Swimming Federation. "I'm happy. I'm starting in control, I'm trying to accelerate but I'm having trouble changing gear. The Australian (Samuel Short, ^4th in the series in 14'46''24) , when he comes back strong, I have trouble keeping up with him. I tried to give 1,000% to get through. Despite the fact that I gave quite a bit, I felt good. I'm going to recover well to swim in another final and have fun."

German Florian Wellbrock set the best time in 14:44.81.

"I still want to tear myself away."

The Var native will be able to swim relaxed and try to get the best possible place: "These are my seventh world championships. And this competition is not the one that suits me best in the deep end. I've had a lot of ninth and tenth places that remain bitter. Now, eighth is good, it's over and I'm happy to be in this final after all these years. I still want to push hard and achieve my best times."

It will start this Sunday at 1:31 p.m.