With Michael Phelps’s coach by his side, France’s Leon Marchand eyes history

In 2004, Xavier Marchand faced Michael Phelps in a 200-meter individual medley, with Phelps triumphing by a significant margin. Two decades later, Marchand's son, Leon, has emerged as a dominant force in swimming, winning three gold medals at the 2023 world championships, including Phelps's last world record in the 400 IM. Leon's success is attributed to his inherited talents from both parents and his training under Phelps's former coach, Bob Bowman. Despite not being as physically imposing as Phelps, Leon Marchand possesses exceptional gliding abilities, enabling him to excel in the IM. Bowman notes Leon's unwavering consistency and practice ethic, akin to Phelps's approach. With the Paris Olympics approaching, Marchand faces immense expectations as a gold medal contender in four events, including the historic double of the 200 butterfly and breaststroke. Bowman, who has joined the French coaching staff, will guide Marchand through the pressures of the Olympics, leveraging his experience with Phelps. Marchand's aspirations to leave an Olympic legacy extend beyond the IM, with his sights set on potential triumphs in the 200 butterfly and breaststroke. To achieve his ambitious goals, Marchand must overcome reigning world record holders in both events, including Kristof Milak in the 200 fly and Qin Haiyang in the 200 breast. The challenges are amplified by the scheduling of the events on the same day, requiring Marchand to demonstrate extraordinary endurance and recovery capabilities.