4 days ago
Léon Marchand rides post-Olympic wave into World Championships in Singapore
In the Parc des Champions at Trocadéro in Paris, on August 6, 2024, a crowd of 13,000 people waited eagerly. Under the scorching sun, with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop, fans gathered for the French swimming team. But most were there for Léon Marchand. Behind the scenes, however, the Toulouse native did not feel at ease. He was hesitant about parading shirtless, as suggested by fellow swimmer Florent Manaudou. "That's not for me," said the man who sent French fans into a frenzy during the first week of the Olympics with his four gold medals.
Despite his new status, the reserved Marchand had no say in the matter. He gave in to his older teammate's instructions and played along: chest out, sunglasses on, medals around his neck. Being close to the spectators wasn't entirely unpleasant, but behind his beaming smile was a hint of apprehension. "During the first week of the Olympics, I was focused on the competition. But in the second week, I realized that everything was going to change in my daily life in France," he later told several media outlets, including Le Monde, in April 2025.
