Leon Marchand, a 22-year-old swimmer from Toulouse, is set to make a splash at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the 400m individual medley on Sunday, July 28. Marchand, a five-time world champion, is France’s top hope for ending a 12-year gold-medal drought in Olympic swimming. His impressive track record includes setting a new world record of 4:02.50 in this event at the 2023 World Championships, surpassing the previous record held by the legendary Michael Phelps.
Marchand has been open about his aspirations, stating in 2022 that winning a gold medal at the Paris Games has always been his goal. “The goal is to win a gold medal one day or another. I think that Paris (2024 Olympic Games) would be a great time because I’ll be 22. I won’t be too old or too young,” he shared.
The competition will be fierce, with notable contenders like Carson Foster from Team USA, who won silver in the 400 IM at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, and is currently the fastest in the event this year. Also in the mix are Chase Kalisz, the defending Olympic champion from the USA, and Japan’s Seto Daiya, who took third place at the 2023 World Championships.
Adding to the excitement, Michael Phelps, who once held the world record Marchand broke, will be covering the event as a broadcast contributor for NBC. His presence is expected to electrify the atmosphere at La Defense Arena, as fans and athletes alike watch to see if Marchand can achieve his golden dream on home soil.
