French swimmer Léon Marchand has made history at this year’s Paris Olympics, having completed ‘the triple’ – winning gold in the 200m Breaststroke, 200m Butterfly and 400m Individual Relay.
He also won gold in the 200m medley on Friday (August 2).
But what do we know about the young prodigy?
He is part of a swimming dynasty
Mr Marchand - who is just 22 and hails from Toulouse (Haute-Garonne, Occitanie) - comes from a long line of French swimmers.
His father Xavier Marchand took part in two Olympic finals, competing in the medley relay - once in 1996 and another in 2000 (coming 8th and 7th respectively). He won a silver medal in the 1998 World Championships.
His mother Céline Bonnet is also a French champion swimmer who competed in swimming medley relay events and his uncle, Christophe Marchand, was also an Olympic swimmer, in 1988 and 1992.
He trains with Michael Phelps’ former coach
Mr Marchand now trains in North America with Bob Bowman, who coached the legendary US champion Michael Phelps.
However, he still maintains professional links with his first coach, Frenchman Nicolas Castel, who coaches swimming in Toulouse.
Mr Castel was in the front row at the Défense Arena when his former protegé stormed to victory.
“I don't have the words to describe what we've just been through, it's incredible, an immense joy," he said at the event. “To experience it in this atmosphere and to see Léon so happy, it makes us very proud and happy for him.”
His swimming strokes are legendary
Part of Mr Marchand’s success has been attributed to his ‘undulation of the dolphin’ technique, in which he is able to push fast under water (where there is less ‘drag’) to propel himself forward at ever-greater speeds.
This means that he can take on opponents who appear - at least, out of the water - bigger and stronger than him (such as Hungary's Kristof Milak, who was his major rival for the 200m butterfly).
He has a 'normal' body and was an average swimmer
Mr Marchand appears much less imposing than Michael Phelps or Kristof Milak, and some have previously described his body as less-than-ideal for a swimming champion. He was considered skinny for a swimmer and was only thought to be ‘average to good’ until he was around 13-14 years old.
He only began to emerge as a ‘prodigy’ from the age of 15. This is partly why he has always kept up his educational studies as well as swimming. "You never know, you've got to have a back-up,” he said, in 2019.
He is already the most successful French swimmer
Mr Marchand is the first ever French swimmer to win Olympic gold more than once.
To do so three times marks him out as truly exceptional, and at only 22 years old, he will likely compete at multiple future Olympic Games.
He is also a five-time world champion, and was recognised as a leading talent in France and internationally well before the 2024 Paris Games.
In 2020, he almost quit swimming
During lockdown, Mr Marchand made a phone call to Thomas Sammut, who is known as a legendary mentor of great French swimmers.
“He was going through a very difficult period, couldn't perform any more, and couldn't find any meaning in what he was doing in the water,” said Mr Sammut.
Whatever the mentor said in return (which has not been publicly revealed) seems to have changed Mr Marchand’s mind, however, because four years on, the two are still friends, and the younger has reached the pinnacle of his sport.
In August 2021, Mr Sammut even predicted that in “one or two years, he will be the world number one”.
He is a keen private plane enthusiast
Mr Marchand does not only have eyes for swimming; he also passed a scientific baccalaureate with honours, and studied computer science at Toulouse III-Paul-Sabatier University.
He also has dreams of getting his private pilot's licence, although this is on hold while he prioritises his swimming.
“I managed to do about 15 hours [of flying training] in the United States last year, but I need to get back to it,” he told AFP around 18 months ago.
He likes chess and anime
When he’s not breaking records in the pool, Mr Marchard likes to play chess, watch anime, and read manga comics.
Last year, during the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, he was very happy to take photos with Japanese fans, many of whom also share his interest in anime and manga.
His club, Toulouse, has created other legends
Mr Marchand was once part of the Dauphins du Toulouse olympique employés club (TOEC).
It was already famous due to previous members Jean Boiteux (France's first Olympic champion in 1952) and Alfred Nakache, the 'swimmer from Auschwitz’.
He is quite shy, and is now focusing on ‘enjoying the experience’
Mr Marchand has had some troubled times, including wondering if he was good enough, and struggling to overcome negative thoughts and shyness.
In 2022, as he began to emerge as a leading talent, he said: “Before, I knew I was a swimmer, but apart from that, I didn't have anything. Before, I didn't like myself as much as I do now, I felt shy, and that was a disadvantage for me. But now, it’s a strength. Now it allows me to stay focused and know my strengths.”
He has previously said that his main goal as a competitor now is “just to enjoy it”. “I have no limits when I’m having fun,” he said. “I want to feel that energy before a race…to hit my potential.”
He told media outlet Brut: “I always like to ask myself, what will happen if I fail? And the answer is, not that much. My family will still be proud of me. If I come eighth in this final, what will happen? Nothing will happen. So now, I don’t fear failure.
“I’m more in the spirit of, I’m making the most of it, and I’m going to give it my best.”
