Jules Bouyer secures France's first medal at European swimming championships

French diver Jules Bouyer won the silver medal in the 3m springboard at the European swimming championships, which were held in France. This was France's first medal of the competition.

The 24-year-old Bouyer, a French diver, scored 484.60 points in the final, which consisted of six dives. The event took place on Wednesday 5 August at the Olympic Aquatics Centre in Saint-Denis, France.

German diver Linus Moritz Wesemann won the gold medal with 506.80 points, while British diver Jordan Houlden took the bronze with 474.90 points. Wesemann had reportedly already won the 1m springboard title on Saturday.

Bouyer was in first place after the first two dives but had fallen to third by the halfway point. Jordan Houlden made a major mistake on his final dive, allowing Bouyer to move up to second.

Reflecting on the victory, Bouyer expressed 'beaucoup, beaucoup, beaucoup de fierté' (a lot, a lot, a lot of pride) and said of the crowd, 'Le public, c'était un truc de malade' (The crowd was insane). He added that 'il y avait plus de bruit qu'aux JO' (there was more noise than at the Olympics).

Je pense que c'est honnêtement le plus beau résultat de ma vie.

It was reported that the final was held in an electric atmosphere. Earlier, Bouyer had placed 10th in the qualifying round, saying 'C'était vraiment très difficile' (It was really very difficult) and that 'mon corps ne réagissait pas comme je le voulais' (my body was not reacting as I wanted).

He later explained that he had sat down that afternoon and talked a lot with his staff, noting that the day had started badly for him. Bouyer and Alexis Jandard had finished sixth in the synchronized 3m springboard event, where Jandard placed 8th in the individual competition. Bouyer's leg hit the springboard on the third dive in the synchro event, likely costing the duo a medal.

Bouyer said his silver medal represents 'une revanche sur moi-même' (a revenge on myself) and that the two events provoke 'très différents' (very different) feelings.