Samuel Vessat Sets New French Indoor 400m Record Amid National Championships

The 2026 French Indoor Athletics Championships at Stadium Jean Pellez in Aubière showcased the country’s top talent in sprint and jump events, with athletes competing fiercely for national medals and record-breaking performances. The event provided an electric atmosphere as competitors chased personal bests and qualifications for international events.

A standout performance came from Samuel Vessat of Saint-Denis Emotion, who broke the nearly 15-year-old French indoor 400m record. On February 27, 2026, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Vessat clocked an impressive 45.38 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 45.54 seconds set by Leslie Djhone. This marked a significant leap forward in French indoor sprinting.

Vessat, a former basketball player who switched to athletics in the summer of 2024 and currently trains at Purdue University, has rapidly risen in the ranks. His time places him ninth in European indoor 400m history and tenth globally for the winter season. Notably, earlier performances this season—such as his 45.68-second run—already met the World Championships qualification standard of 45.80 seconds. With this record-breaking run, Vessat secured his spot at the World Championships in Torun.

As the championships continue in Aubière, the athletics community eagerly anticipates whether more records will fall amid the intense competition and ambitious athletes pushing their limits.