2024 Paris Olympics

 France's Léon Marchand emerges as the next major star in Olympic swimming

August 3, 2024

Now it's four. Léon Marchand of France has secured four individual gold medals at the Paris Summer Games, breaking an Olympic record with each victory.

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NANTERRE, France - Léon Marchand's coronation couldn't have been more perfectly staged.

Over the past week, before a passionate and at times raucous home crowd in Paris, the young Frenchman with his mop of blond hair has risen as the next major name in international Olympic swimming.

At age 22, Marchand had never clinched a gold medal before these Summer Games. Now, he has secured four individual golds in a single Olympics, placing himself in the echelon of greatness previously occupied solely by Americans Mark Spitz and Michael Phelps.

With each triumph this week, including his latest on Friday night where he jubilantly displayed four fingers, Marchand also shattered Olympic records.

"It was surreal," Marchand remarked about his final individual performance in the men’s 200-meter individual medley final at La Defense arena, a Paris suburb. "Once again, the crowd was roaring. It was my last individual race [of these Games], so I made sure to savor every moment."

Saying the public was cheering barely captures the cultural moment Marchand has ignited. While some French citizens have mixed feelings about hosting the Olympics in Paris, Marchand fever has taken over the city. Taxi drivers chat about him, teenagers swoon over him, and in restaurants, everything comes to a halt as patrons focus on televisions showing his races and victories.

Young fans gathered outside La Defense arena in a Paris suburb on Friday to cheer for their new swimming hero, Léon Marchand. He delivered, winning his fourth gold medal.

The swimming venue here has been packed with Marchand fans. After each of his victories, thousands joined in enthusiastic renditions of La Marseillaise, France's national anthem.

Marchand is set to compete again on Sunday in a team relay final, where another gold medal is within reach.

A unique aspect of Marchand's rise to national icon status in France is his development within America's dominant swimming system. Spending most of the year in the U.S., he recently competed in the NCAA for Arizona State University.

Following her race on Friday, U.S. swimmer Regan Smith, who often trains alongside Marchand, expressed admiration for his abilities.

"I've had the chance to share a lane with him in practice for nearly two years," Smith said. "Seeing his daily dedication, it's clear he's not just physically gifted. What truly sets him apart is his mental strength. He has that special 'it' factor, that Je ne sais quoi. He knows how to deliver when it counts."

Léon Marchand of France celebrates after winning the men's 200-meter individual medley final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, securing his fourth individual gold of the Paris Games.

Notably, Marchand is coached by Bob Bowman, the legendary American trainer who helped develop Michael Phelps' talent. Earlier this week, Bowman told reporters that Marchand has emerged in Paris as one of the all-time greats.

"I place him at the top right now," Bowman said of Marchand. "He has the speed and endurance, and he's not even at his full potential yet."

When asked about the experience of training a rising star whose Olympic successes benefit France, Bowman shrugged and replied, "I'm still red, white, and blue at heart."

After his win on Friday, Marchand stated that he plans to continue working with Bowman as he prepares for the next Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

"We’ve shared incredible moments here and worked extremely hard over the past three years," Marchand said. "I’m not sure how to navigate the next phase of my career, but I believe Bowman will be instrumental, given his extensive knowledge."

When asked about being compared to American Michael Phelps, who earned a total of 28 Olympic medals, including 23 gold, Marchand expressed his admiration. "It's an honor, of course. He is a legend in the swimming world and always will be."

Paris Olympics 2024