Léon Marchand smashes his own record in the 400m freestyle swim, ultimately placing third in the final competition for his return to the sport.
Swimming Titan Léon Marchand Makes His Return Amidst Injuries
After a half-year hiatus, French swim sensation Léon Marchand graced the Tyr Pro Swim Series meet in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Having spent months training in Australia post-World Cup, he was anticipated to make waves - and he did just that on the opening day, May 1st!
Nailing third place in the 400m freestyle final, Léon bested the competition behind Kieran Smith (Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist) and 19-year-old Ryan Erisman. What's more, he smashed his personal record, touching the wall in 3'48"97 after initially clocking a 3'52"77 in the heats.
This personal best wasn't exactly unexpected - Léon hadn't competed in a long course 400m freestyle since January 2020 (4'04"65). But the four-time Olympic champ, with his eyes set on the 2028 Los Angeles Games and a fresh take on freestyle, hadn't had an easy road.
He's faced some significant hurdles lately, such as a shoulder subluxation in December 2024 that he trained through daily in Toulouse, choosing to rest from competition. Then, while in Brisbane, Australia, he sustains a stress fracture in a rib, exacerbated by continuing to surf and swim before being diagnosed.
Despite these setbacks, Léon's resilience remains unbroken. He's been adapting his training routines under both French and Australian coaching teams throughout his recovery, and Barring a brief week of complete rest, he never let up.
This comeback meet marks a new chapter for Léon as he tests his mettle in the 200m freestyle on Friday, followed by the race he reigns supreme: the 400m individual medley, where he holds the world record and Olympic championship title.
Managing injuries and public demands post-Paris Olympics has taken its toll on Léon, admitting, "It's energy-consuming; I can't do that on a daily basis." But with his sights set on Los Angeles, you can bet he'll keep pushing forward.
Léon Marchand, despite sustaining a stress fracture in a rib while in Brisbane, Australia, returned to competition after a hiatus, showcasing his resilience. His initial 400m freestyle competition in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, marked his first long course 400m freestyle since January 2020. Despite the fracture and also training through a shoulder subluxation, Léon continued his sporting routine under both French and Australian coaching teams.
