A Night of Celebration for France
Leon Marchand held up four fingers in the pool, signifying his incredible achievement. French President Emmanuel Macron celebrated by raising his arms in the air, joining the ecstatic fans at La Défense Arena. The crowd sang the national anthem with fervor, marking a historic night for Marchand and the French swimming team.
Marchand’s Historic Performance
Léon Marchand capped off his spectacular Olympic run with a record-breaking performance in the men’s 200-meter individual medley final. Competing in his home Olympics, Marchand secured four gold medals, setting Olympic records in each of his events. “It’s been unbelievable,” Marchand said. “Four gold medals is not what I thought I could possibly do. I was trying to win one at first.”
His victory in the 200 IM followed a day when judoka Teddy Riner also claimed gold, amplifying the excitement for France. Marchand dominated the race, finishing strong with a remarkable performance that saw him maintain control throughout.
Breaking Phelps’ Record
Marchand won the 200 IM in a stunning 1 minute, 54.06 seconds, breaking the previous Olympic record of 1:54.23 set by Michael Phelps during the 2008 Beijing Games. Phelps, present in the arena as a commentator for NBC, witnessed Marchand’s historic achievement firsthand. Great Britain’s Duncan Scott took silver with a time of 1:55.31, while China’s Wang Shun secured the bronze in 1:56.
“His breaststrokes are world-class, his turns are phenomenal,” Scott remarked about Marchand. “It is a real honor to be able to race against him in this environment. The crowd is nuts, and it’s sensational to be a part of it.”
A Series of Victories
Marchand’s dominance began with a win in the 400 IM on July 28. He made headlines on July 31 by accomplishing an unprecedented double, winning both the 200 butterfly and 200 breaststroke within just over two hours. This feat marked him as the first swimmer since 1976 to win two golds on the same day.
Reflecting on his achievements, Marchand said, “I had a lot of races this week, big challenge for me. That double was a lot, physically and mentally. Now I need this time to think about what I just did for sure. So I need (a) vacation.”
Joining Elite Company
With his four gold medals, Marchand joins an exclusive group of male swimmers who have achieved this feat in a single Olympics. While Michael Phelps won eight golds in 2008 and six in 2004, Marchand’s accomplishment is a significant milestone. “That’s crazy,” he commented. “Those guys are legends.”
Other Notable Performances
The night was filled with excitement beyond Marchand’s victory. Australian swimmer Cameron McEvoy kicked off the evening by winning the 50-meter freestyle in 21.25 seconds. Great Britain’s Benjamin Proud took silver (21.30 seconds), while local favorite Florent Manaudou earned bronze (21.56 seconds).
In the women’s 200-meter backstroke, Australian Kaylee McKeown added to her country’s gold medal tally with a time of 2:03.73, also setting an Olympic record. Regan Smith from the United States finished second in 2:04.26, followed by Canada’s Kylie Masse in third at 2:05.57. “I was a little nervous going out tonight,” McKeown admitted. “I went out hard and held on for dear life.”
Léon Marchand’s remarkable performance at the Paris Olympics has etched his name in swimming history. His achievement of four gold medals, including breaking a long-standing record held by Michael Phelps, marks a significant moment for both Marchand and French sports. As the Olympics continue, Marchand’s legacy will inspire future generations of athletes.
