In Florida, Leon Marchand wins the 4x400m relay in the 200m, setting a new world record for the 800m distance, with Katie Ledecky as a participant.
Headline: French Swimming Phenom Leon Marchand Wraps Up Florida Competition amidst Struggles
Subhead: 22-year-old lionhearted contender—fresh off a Paris Olympics victory—shows versatility, but stumbles in Fort Lauderdale's Florida Pro Swim Series
Leon Marchand, the quadruple Olympic champion from Paris 2024, concluded his run in the Florida Pro Swim Series on a bittersweet note this past Saturday. The 22-year-old Frenchman, back in the competitive swimming pool for the first time since the Paris games, placed runner-up in the 200m individual medley to American Shaine Casas (1 minute, 56 seconds, 52).
Marchand, who made a splash in the Florida scene this week, attempted the 400m freestyle to assess his current form. Unfortunately, after placing a commendable third in the 400m freestyle on Thursday, the French star had a rocky performance in the 200m freestyle on Friday, finishing eighth overall. This was followed by a loss to Bobby Finke in the 400m individual medley, Marchand's signature event.
Determined to focus on his strengths, Marchand opted to abandon the 200m breaststroke event for the 200m individual medley. Despite showcasing prowess in his freestyle and breaststroke legs, the swimmer struggled in the closing 50 meters freestyle, ultimately losing to Casas.
As Marchand gears up for future competitions, it seems that he is testing a diverse array of swimming events, eager to push his limits beyond his primary IM and breaststroke events. Bob Bowman, Marchand's former coach who previously trained the legendary Michael Phelps, praised his efforts, commenting that he was not yet at the peak of his game but was optimistic about the Frenchman's exploration of new possibilities.
High-profile swimmers, including Katie Ledecky and Gretchen Walsh, also graced the Florida Pro Swim Series, where two world records were set on Saturday. Ledecky, the nine-time Olympic champion, broke her own world record in the 800m freestyle, besting her 2016 Rio Game record by one second. On the other hand, Walsh set a new standard in the 100m butterfly, shattering her previous world record twice, clocking in with an impressive 54.60 seconds in the final.
Stay tuned for more updates on Leon Marchand's journey as he prepares for his next chapters as a swimming phenom. 🏊♀️🏊♂️
- Leon Marchand, the French swimmer who claimed victory at the Paris Olympics in 2024, experienced a setback in the 200m freestyle at the Florida Pro Swim Series, finishing eighth overall.
- Despite his struggles in the 200m freestyle, Leon Marchand showcased his versatility in the 400m freestyle, placing a commendable third, and in the 200m individual medley, a new event he introduced while assessing his current form.
- In the 2024 Olympics, Leon Marchand brought home four titles in various events, but in 2024, he aims to break new ground by pushing his limits beyond his primary IM and breaststroke events.
