Since last year, he has been the darling of French swimming. Léon Marchand, five-time world champion, could well become one of the stars of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the pools. But for this, he had to go through Chartres, 80 km southwest of Paris, where the French championships are currently being held, to validate his qualification in 4 events. This is already done in 3 of them. Monday June 17 was the 400m medley. And this Wednesday, it was in the 200m butterfly and the 200m breaststroke, in front of a won over audience.
From our special correspondent in Chartres,
It’s a day of marathon and challenges for the most prominent French swimmer. From the morning session, double ration of length: two Olympic qualifications to be obtained for the phenomenon. Smartphones brandished in the stands to film the star.
« I just saw it for the first time, otherwise I watched it on videos. I think he’s very good and I take a little inspiration from him. I try to do almost the same », marvel two apprentice swimmers who came to admire Léon Marchand in the flesh.
An observer with a sharper eye, Rodolphe Vernillet, former swimmer and member of the Rouen Vikings, appreciates the technical qualities of the star swimmer. “ He is a person who puts a lot of effort into very important phases, which are the start, the cast, all the swim attempts, which leaves him little distance to cover in pure swimming, he specifies. This is a phase of swimming that, for me, should be worked on more often among young people. Because these are phases that are perhaps hard, but phases where we can save a lot of time. »
Frantic pace
Léon Marchand doesn’t have much time. Warming up, cooling down, the sequence of races forces him to time everything. No time yet to meet the fans since his return to France, even if he is aware of a certain enthusiasm around him.
« Yes, I feel it. Afterwards, I didn’t take advantage of it too much, I didn’t go in public to Toulouse, so I didn’t really feel all that. I didn’t really prepare. But there you go, I had the experience last year and I think I need to be a little more natural with everything that’s going on around me, with the media, with the pressure, with the people who talk about it too. I’m having a pretty intense week anyway, so I’m going to “focus” [me concentrer, NDLR] on that », Explains the swimmer.
And so far, it’s flawless. Three objectives, three doors open to the La Défense Arena, site of future swimming exploits at the Olympic Games, and the satisfaction of having known victoriously complete 200 meters butterfly and breaststroke in less than an hour. “ These are things that few people do, I think. 200 meters butterfly and 200 meters breaststroke, it’s a pretty weird duo, I want to say, and I love everything weird. It’s cool to be able to change strokes like that and go for things like that, it gives me a lot of confidence for the future. », adds Léon Marchand.
But after diving into the deep end, Léon Marchand finally takes the time for a little walkabout, an impromptu signing session. A boy receives his signed photo as a birthday present for his 11th birthday. He cries with joy. “ It’s perhaps not the most beautiful, but one of the best days of my life. It’s really a shock to see him here, and especially up close, he was incredible. And he’s qualified for the Olympics, it’s going to be so good “, he rejoices.
An inspiring model, as were Laure and Florent Manaudou, Alain Bernard or Camille Muffat, Léon, the merchant of hope for French swimming in full rise to the top, is now waiting for the Games with desire to definitively conquer hearts.
Also read Swimming: “there is a chance that Léon Marchand will become a reference in France”
