A phenomenon arises. This Saturday, June 18, Léon Marchand struck a blow in the Hungarian basins of Budapest by winning world gold in the 400m medley. He smashed his record over the distance by posting the second best time in history behind Michael Phelps. “Now I can call myself a good swimmer”, he believes. Maintenance.
How did you manage those hours between the semi-finals and the final?
I tried to think of something else because it’s still swimming. I try to stay a little apart, otherwise I’ll put my head a little like a watermelon. I had the best time in the semi-finals so it’s not easy (to manage). I think now I can manage it better and I was happy to be in this position, it allows me to really enjoy the moment. I didn’t hold back too much this morning, I still swam fast. I did the right things and tonight I really let go.
How has training with Bob Bowman, the former coach of Michael Phelps, helped you in your progress?
Bob, he creates an environment for me every day in training that allows me to work really hard and improve, both mentally and physically. All training is interesting for me. When I come out of practice, I say to myself “I improved that”. It is concrete. I don’t do lengths for lengths. I feel that I am more effective in what I do. And as the competitions approach, he gives me a lot of peace of mind, he has a very precise plan. It adapts according to my fatigue and my desires, so it’s perfect.
What does it mean to you to do better than your father Xavier, vice-world champion in the 200 medley 24 years ago, and to become world champion in a discipline that your mother swam?
It means a lot because my mother always gave me a lot of advice on 400m medley, my father too. Afterwards, it was a different era, so in terms of times, it wasn’t the same thing, but the 400m medley is a good bit of swimming. There’s a bit of everything in it. That’s mostly what’s cool. I think now I can call myself a good swimmer because I know how to do a bit of everything and I swam 4 min 04, that’s the second fastest time in history. And I’m super happy because part of my family came to see me so it was pretty cool.
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