France’s Léon Marchand Ascends to Stardom in Olympic Swimming
NANTERRE, France – Léon Marchand’s rise to prominence in the world of Olympic swimming could not have been scripted more perfectly.
In front of an enthusiastic and at times raucous home crowd in Paris, the 22-year-old Frenchman with a head of blond hair has solidified his status as the next big name in international swimming.
Marchand had never secured a gold medal before these Summer Games. Now, he has claimed four individual gold medals in a single Olympics, putting him alongside legends like Americans Mark Spitz and Michael Phelps.
With each victory this week, culminating with his latest on Friday night where he held up four fingers in celebration, Marchand also broke the Olympic record repeatedly.
“It was crazy,” Marchand remarked about his final individual swim in the men’s 200 meter individual medley final at Paris’s La Defense arena. “Once again, the public was cheering. It was my last individual race [of these Games] so I told myself I had to really enjoy it.”
The public’s enthusiasm has been overwhelming, fueling a cultural phenomenon known as Marchand fever. Despite mixed feelings about hosting the Olympics in Paris, Marchand’s performances have captivated the city. Conversations about him dominate among taxi drivers, teenagers are enamored, and diners halt their meals to watch his races on TV.
Crowds at the swimming events have been filled with Marchand’s supporters. Following each victory, thousands have joined in singing La Marseillaise, France’s national anthem.
Marchand is set to compete again on Sunday in a team relay final, where another gold medal is a strong possibility.
Interestingly, Marchand’s rise has been significantly influenced by America’s dominant swimming system. He resides in the U.S. for most of the year and previously competed in the NCAA for Arizona State University.
After her race on Friday, U.S. swimmer Regan Smith, who often trains with Marchand, expressed admiration for his abilities.
“I’ve had the opportunity to share a lane with him in practice for nearly two years,” Smith said. “He’s incredibly talented physically, but what sets him apart is his mindset. He has this It factor, this Je ne sais quoi. He knows how to succeed.”
Marchand is coached by Bob Bowman, the renowned American trainer who helped develop Michael Phelps. Bowman recently acknowledged Marchand’s emergence as one of the all-time greats.
“I rank him at the top right now,” Bowman said. “He’s got the speed, he’s got the endurance. He hasn’t even reached his full potential.”
When asked how it feels to train a talent whose medals go to France, Bowman said, “I’m still red, white and blue in my heart.”
After his win on Friday, Marchand affirmed his intention to continue training with Bowman as he prepares for the next Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“We’ve shared amazing moments here. We’ve been working really hard over the last three years. I think Bowman will help me take the next step in my career because he knows so much about it.”
Comparing himself to Michael Phelps, who earned a total of 28 Olympic medals—23 of them gold—Marchand said it’s an honor. “Of course, he is a legend in the swimming world, and he always will be.”