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Reckoned as ‘French Michael Phelps’, Leon Marchand of France etched his name in record books by setting a new Olympic Games record at the Paris 2024 on Sunday, July 28. The 22-year-old Frenchman bagged a gold medal in 400m individual medley event at the Paris La Defense Arena, beating American great Michael Phelps record, which he had set at the Beijing Games in 2008.
The French swimmer defied the pressure and delivered commanding performance, setting a timing of 4 minutes and 2.95 seconds. Moreover, his sheer dominance could not get anyone close to him in the individual medley as Japan’s Tomoyuki Matsushita settled for a silver and America’s Carson Foster finished with a bronze.
Great Britain’s Max Litchfield finished fourth in the event for third Olympics in a row, but this time, he set a new British record of four minutes 8.85 seconds.
I will remember this one for a very long time: Marchand after etching Olympic record
The 22-year-old swimmer, who bagged his first Olympics medal and first medal for France in swimming, reflected on this achievement. Speaking after his gold medal win at the Games, Leon Marchand said, “It was crazy. I think I will remember this one for a very long time. The emotions are very difficult to describe.”
“It was incredible for a swimmer. I opened my eyes, listened to everything that was happening around. And that really pushed me to already have a great race and have a lot of fun. I opened my present this afternoon, this evening, “ he added.
The 22-year-old still has three events at the ongoing Summer Games. Marchand will compete in the 200m medley, the 200m butterfly and 200m breaststroke.
