It is the happiest moment of an athlete's life.
Looking back at the board, seeing that you have done enough to qualify for the Olympic Games — even better, an Olympic Games that is taking place in your home country.
Of course you'll celebrate. Who wouldn't?
Rafael Fente-Damers probably wishes he had done so with slightly more restraint though.
The 17-year-old French swimmer was thrilled to come second in the 100m freestyle at the French Olympic Swimming trials at the Piscine l'Odyssée in Chartres, south west of Paris — perhaps too thrilled.
Maxime Grousset, bronze medallist at the 2023 World Championships, won the race in a lifetime best of 47.33, with Fente-Damers steaming home in second with a 48.14.
Kyle Chalmers swam 47.75 in Brisbane last week at the Australian Trials, the only Australian to dip under the Olympic qualifying time.
Fente-Damers was, understandably, thrilled with his performance and slapped the water hard with his left arm.
Unfortunately, the youngster then immediately appeared to be in some pain and had to be helped from the water.
He later appeared at a media call, smiling, with his arm in a sling.
"He is a little bit crazy," Grousset, the 25-year-old from New Caledonia, told reporters after the race of his young counterpart.
"That's why he's good."
As for Fente-Damers' shoulder, scans on Wednesday (local time) will determine how good that is, although the teenager did appear to be laughing and joking as he went through the mix zone.
The swimming competition in Paris starts in 38 days.
Veteran star Florent Manaudou, winner of four Olympic medals, including gold in the 50m free at London 2012, swam a lifetime best in the heats, but then withdrew from the final.
Manaudou will likely be named in the 4x100m relay team regardless, and will focus all his energy in the 50m freestyle, in which he won a silver in Tokyo and will be a key rival of qualifiers from the Australian Trials Cam McEvoy and Ben Armbruster.
