Marchand mania sweeps France as Le Roi Léon rules first week of Olympics

When Léon Marchand made history as the top swimmer in France by winning two gold medals in less than two hours on Wednesday night, the entire nation became obsessed with Marchand.

Experts stated that the reserved and friendly 22-year-old, who is often called "half man, half dolphin" because of his strong push-offs underwater, had brought back a sense of pride to the nation.

The incredible excitement was not just limited to the 17,000 fans in the swimming arena - coaches mentioned they had never experienced anything like it before. Cheers and shouts were heard not only inside the arena but also out on the streets from Paris to Toulouse, and even on public transportation. In a slightly embarrassing moment for France, other Olympic events such as table tennis, tennis, and a fencing final had to momentarily stop as the loud cheers from French fans in the stands supporting Marchand while watching on their phones disrupted the competitions.

Marchand, who won his fourth gold medal at the Games on Friday in the men's 200m individual medley, is loved not just for his impressive swimming skills but also for his background. He was born in Toulouse, a city in the southwest of France, and comes from a family of Olympic swimmers. Despite his family's concerns about the pressure and challenges that come with being an athlete, Marchand decided to follow in their footsteps.

Marchand, a computer programming student with a deep passion for video games and Japanese manga comics, also enjoys aviation and dreams of becoming a licensed pilot. He describes himself as shy and not comfortable being the center of attention. He has been vocal about the emotional struggles that come with being a top athlete and believes that mental well-being is just as important as physical technique in competitive swimming. Marchand has shared that his pre-race relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises, and his decision to approach races with a positive attitude are essential to his success. "You have to find joy in what you do," he expressed in an interview with Brut Media two years ago, highlighting the importance of maintaining a sense of enjoyment despite the intense pressure of competition.

At the age of 19, Marchand decided to move from France to the United States to pursue a degree in computer science at Arizona State University. During his time there, he also had the opportunity to train under Bob Bowman, the renowned coach who helped shape the successful career of American swimmer Michael Phelps. Phelps, who holds the record for the most Olympic medals with a total of 28, including an impressive 23 gold medals.

Bowman doesn't believe it's fair to compare the two swimmers because he sees them as very unique individuals. He never let Phelps try to win two gold medals in a two-hour span, and he also tried to talk Marchand out of competing in two important finals in Paris on the same night - but Marchand was determined to do so. Bowman described Marchand as polite, calm, humble, a great student, and a swimmer with an exceptional work ethic. He admires Marchand's deep love for swimming and believes he has received excellent technical training along with having good genetics.

Marchand's mom, Céline Bonnet, used to be a professional swimmer and his dad, Xavier Marchand, was an Olympic competitor. They didn't pressure him into swimming, but actually tried to steer him away because they knew how much dedication it required. Despite trying other sports like judo and rugby, Marchand always returned to the pool and eventually followed his parents' advice by focusing on the individual medley.

During his teenage years, Marchand trained with the Dolphins team at the TOEC club in Toulouse. He practiced in the pool named after Alfred Nakache, a French swimmer who competed in the 1936 Olympics before tragically being sent to Auschwitz where he lost his wife and young daughter. Despite the horrors he endured, Nakache survived and went on to participate in the 1948 Games. In a documentary, footage of a young, determined Marchand showed him diligently studying for his baccalaureate at high school, excelling in his academics as he saw it as a potential alternative if his swimming career did not pan out.

Marchand has shared how, when he was around 18 years old and doing well in French competitions, he felt overwhelmed by the constant need to do well and the fear of failing. Surprisingly, being stuck at home during Covid actually helped him. It gave him the chance to relax with his family and live a more normal life. He enjoyed sleeping in and playing video games with his younger brother.

Marchand collaborated with Thomas Sammut, who coaches top athletes on their mental game in sports. By focusing on the mental aspects of competition, he was able to improve his performance before the Tokyo Olympics at the age of 19. "Now, when I think about what would happen if I fail," Marchand shared with Brut, "I realize that nothing bad will occur: my family will still be proud of me. So, I no longer fear failure. I am enjoying the experience." He praised Sammut by saying, "In the past, athletes might have been hesitant to work with someone like him because it could reveal mental weaknesses. I never had that fear. I wanted to excel in my sport, but more importantly, I wanted to maintain a positive attitude in my daily life."

Marchand received a lot of support from the French fans, which could have made him feel more pressure. During his first breaststroke race, the crowd would go quiet at times and then cheer every time he took a breath. However, Marchand has learned to thrive in this environment. Bowman, as his coach, has experience with rowdy home crowds and shared a tip from Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe: to view the crowd's energy not as pressure, but as positive support.

Marchand expressed his gratitude towards the French fans for their support following his two gold medal wins. He mentioned how amazing it was to have such a strong presence from the public and how he had unforgettable moments with the spectators.

Five More French Olympic Stars

The 20-year-old basketball star, also known as "Wemby" in France, is an impressive 2.24m tall and stands out against his competitors. He is a key player for the men's basketball team and always attracts large crowds. Wembanyama, born near Paris to parents who were both athletes, made the move to the NBA last year. He was hailed as the most promising young player since LeBron James joined the league nearly two decades ago. Following his debut with the San Antonio Spurs, Wembanyama was unanimously named the NBA Rookie of the Year for 2024 - making him the first French player to win this award.

Cyréna Samba-Mayela is a talented athlete who competes in the 100m hurdles.

The 23-year-old sprinter from France, who is also the European champion in the 100m hurdles, is considered a top athlete in her country. She was born in Champigny-sur-Marne, on the east side of Paris, and tried out a few different sports such as figure skating and judo before ultimately deciding to focus on athletics at the age of 15. Samba-Mayela has been training in the United States, but unfortunately, she contracted Covid earlier this year, which has had an impact on her preparation for competition. Her coach, John Coghlan from Ireland, praised her physical and mental strength, along with her technique and passion for the sport. He expressed confidence in her abilities, stating that she has the potential to go down in history as one of the best.

player from France, has recently been making headlines for his exceptional performances on the field. With his speed, agility, and powerful tackles, Dupont has become a key player on the French national team. His ability to read the game and make quick decisions has helped lead his team to victory in several international tournaments. Dupont's passion for the sport is evident in every match he plays, and fans around the world are taking notice of his talent. Keep an eye on this rising star as he continues to make a name for himself in the world of rugby sevens.

The 27-year-old scrum-half from Toulouse decided to switch gears and focus on rugby sevens for the Olympics. He was instrumental in helping France secure the gold medal and was hailed as the standout player during the final match. Fans in the Paris fanzone cheered him on as he celebrated his victory. "I found great motivation in competing for an Olympic gold medal," he remarked upon his decision to leave his usual routine and join the intense world of rugby sevens for the Games.

Félix Lebrun loves playing table tennis.

The 17-year-old from Montpelier is widely known in France and, along with his 20-year-old brother Alexis, is praised for generating enthusiasm for the sport. Their popularity has led to an increase in membership at French table tennis clubs. They have gained a significant following in China and attracted large audiences during the men's singles competition in Paris, where Félix hopes to win a bronze medal. Next week, both brothers will compete in the men's team events.

The 28-year-old Olympian from Lyon won the gold in women's sabre fencing after facing her teammate Sara Balzer in the final. This was the first time in nearly 30 years that two French fencers competed in the Olympic final. Over 8.6 million people watched the intense final moments on France 2, the country's public broadcaster. Apithy-Brunet made history as the first French female sabre fencer to win an Olympic gold medal. She is now aiming for another medal with the women's team, who will be competing this weekend. Following the Rio 2016 Olympics, Apithy-Brunet became a member of the French gendarmerie through their program for elite athletes.