Clémence RICHARD
Swimmer

Clémence received a grand to finance her sporting season

What is your sporting background?
I started swimming at age 5 and began competing at age 8. My dedication and perseverance allowed me to progress from the regional level to the national level and then to the international level. After swimming for 10 years in Fontainebleau, I decided to leave my family and my home town in September 2024 to move to Antibes. This major change allowed me to take my athletic career to the next level. Today, I train 11 times a week. I’ve been competing in European and international events since late 2023, starting with my first World Cup in Funchal. In 2025, I ranked among the Top 10 Juniors (ages 15–19) at the World Cup in Ibiza and competed in the European Cup in Paris. On the national level, I was the French Junior Champion in the 10 km open water event in 2023, 2025 and 2026, including a 4th-place finish overall in 2025 and a 2nd-place finish overall in 2026. In 2026, I also finished 2nd in the junior 5 km and 3rd in the junior 3 km knockout event at the French Open Water Championships. In the pool, I reached several national finals, including a 1st-place finish in the junior 800 m and 1,500 m events at the 2026 French Elite Championships.

How do you view your profession today ?
I consider swimming to be a true passion and a demanding sport that requires a great deal of discipline, determination and sacrifice. My athletic career has taught me resilience, the importance of intensive training, and the value of a supportive family and educational environment. Competing at the international level has given me incredible opportunities to represent my country and meet other elite athletes which has been very rewarding both personally and professionally.

 How do you see yourself in 5 years ? In 10 years ?
In five years, I hope to be part of the French national team for the European and World Championships, competing regularly in international events. I want to continue improving and earning podium finishes in both open-water and pool swimming events.
In 10 years, I see myself still active in the world of swimming as a elite athlete. I hope to have competed at least once in the Olympic Games and to continue to thrive in my passion as well as in my personal life.

Interview conducted in 2026
Photographs taken in 2026 by Yama Ndiaye