First event, first victory… and a new record for Léon Marchand. Engaged in the final of the 200m breaststroke of the French swimming championships, Sunday June 11 in Rennes, the 21-year-old prodigy signed the best world performance of the year, the fourth in history, and improved the national record qu he already held: 2 min 06 sec 59. The world record of the Australian Zac Stubblety-Cook is only a hair away: 64 hundredths (2 min 05 sec 95).
The Toulousain, double world champion in Budapest last year – in the 200 and 400 m medley – and announced star of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, confirms his brilliant form, he who remained undefeated during the university season in the States United, where he trains under Bob Bowman, the former coach of Michael Phelps.
“I think I can do better”
Thursday, at a press conference at the TOEC of Toulouse, club of his debut, Léon Marchand explained that the French championships were a “mandatory passage” towards his main objective of the year: the Worlds in Japan, from July 23 to 30. in Fukuoka. “There are times to be done and you still have to be in good shape to achieve them,” he summed up at the time.
Especially since the young man is ambitious: “Last year [in Hungary], I didn’t have too much experience at the international level at the senior level, I managed to win two races, it was great, but I think I can do better [in Japan]. »
In the meantime, therefore, it is in Brittany that it will be necessary to shine. Léon Marchand will have the opportunity to do so, he is aligned in the 200 and 400 m medley, the 100 and 200 m butterfly, as well as the 200 m freestyle. If he looks forward to being on deck every day – “it’s going to be cool to be able to swim against French swimmers” – not sure that his direct rivals share his enthusiasm.
