PARIS — Léon Marchand stood atop the podium Wednesday night, looking around La Defense Arena with a mixture of amusement and disbelief as thousands of fans sang “La Marseillaise,” the French national anthem. Though he appeared shy and didn’t relish being the center of attention, he joined in and smiled widely when it ended.
After a brief victory lap, Marchand quickly disappeared to prepare for another race. He had just won the 200-meter butterfly with an incredible late-race comeback, becoming the first French swimmer to win multiple individual gold medals at one Games. With less than 50 minutes before the start of the 200m breaststroke final, Marchand aimed to achieve the unprecedented feat of winning Olympic medals in both the butterfly and breaststroke on the same night.
The 22-year-old showed no signs of fatigue or pressure, winning the 200m breaststroke with an Olympic record time of 2:05.85. His victory was met with thunderous ovations from the French crowd, who have treated Marchand like a rock star throughout the Games.
Marchand’s exceptional performance has earned him comparisons to Michael Phelps, especially after he broke Phelps’ long-standing 400m individual medley world record in 2023. Just five days into the 2024 Olympic Games, Marchand has secured three gold medals, each celebrated passionately by the French crowd.
Wednesday night was “indescribable,” Marchand shared on Instagram. His first victory in the 400m IM on Sunday was “a dream come true.” Following a blueprint laid out by Phelps, Marchand has worked diligently towards these achievements, guided by his coach Herbie Behm at Arizona State since 2021.
Behm, who began coaching Marchand at ASU, recounted the early days of their collaboration, emphasizing Marchand’s potential and work ethic. Marchand moved to Tempe to work with coach Bob Bowman, who had trained Phelps. Both of Marchand’s parents are former Olympic swimmers, and his father, Xavier, competed against Phelps.
The coaches were immediately impressed with Marchand’s underwater kick during his first practice. His efficiency, work ethic, and “insane endurance and speed” set him apart quickly. By the end of his freshman season, Marchand had accumulated multiple championships and accolades.
While preparing for the Paris Olympics, Marchand continued to excel academically, maintaining a near-perfect GPA as a computer science major. His intensity and focus in all aspects of life are credited with his success in the pool.
Marchand’s image is ubiquitous in Paris, appearing in advertisements for Louis Vuitton and Omega, and on the front pages of local newspapers. His coach Bowman prepared for fan interactions by scoping out alternative arena exits, anticipating the adoration from fans.
The atmosphere during Marchand’s races has been electric, drawing comparisons to a World Cup crowd. The French flags, chants, and songs create an exhilarating environment. American swimmer Carson Foster, who won bronze in one race, described the experience as an honor, acknowledging the extraordinary support for Marchand.
Marchand still has two more chances to add to his medal haul in the 200m IM and the French 4x100m medley relay team. His coach believes that a relay medal would be particularly special for Marchand, aligning with the team’s ethos and his admiration for the historic 2008 relay led by Phelps.
Marchand uses the crowd’s energy to fuel his performances, making him a force to be reckoned with at the 2024 Olympic Games.