Swimming star Leon Marchand savours break from post-Olympics glare

SEOUL – Leon Marchand, a quadruple Olympic gold medallist at Paris 2024 and the man dubbed the “next Michael Phelps”, has told AFP he is enjoying the relative anonymity of swimming in Asia.

Speaking in Incheon, South Korea, where the Frenchman competed in a World Cup meeting from Oct 24 to Oct 26, he also admitted he was hoping to take his foot off the pedal this season after his extraordinary period in the spotlight.

Marchand, 22, became the poster boy of the Paris Olympics, winning golds in 200m butterfly, 200m breaststroke and a 200m-400m individual medley double.

It made him the first male swimmer to achieve that combination at a single Games since American legend Phelps in 2008.

And when Marchand competed in the French capital, the rhythmic roar of “Leon, Leon” at Paris La Defense Arena became a sound that anyone who witnessed it will long remember.

“There was so much pressure around the Olympics that I think I really need to relax in the upcoming season,” Marchand said.

“It does me good to do competitions with less at stake.”

In France, Marchand’s every move is now watched and he has admitted to having to wear a cap and glasses so he is not recognised when he goes out.

He also competed in the season-opening World Cup meeting in Shanghai earlier in October and is relieved that in Asia he can move around without being bothered.

“Whether it’s China or South Korea, I can walk about in peace, I can just be myself, I do more or less what I want. No one recognises me, so it’s good, it’s not like in France,” he said.

Marchand has lost none of his power, swimming to victory in the 400m individual medley in Incheon, while in Shanghai he won the 100m, 200m and 400m medley.

But he admitted what he had really enjoyed about his first season on the World Cup circuit – in 2023 he was based at Arizona State University – was getting to know his competitors.

“It’s great, I’ve got to know people. I’ve made new friends and we spend a lot of time together. We do activities together, we visit things and go shopping.”

But medals and the sound of La Marseillaise resonating around the pool are not far off – the short course world championships take place in Budapest from Dec 10 to 15.

“I’ll try to set the best times, try to really sharpen up and I’ll do a really heavy load of training before, when I return to France,” he said.

For now though, Marchand is just trying to enjoy himself.

“I am not expecting much from what I’m doing at the moment. I’m having fun,” he said.

While the Frenchman is having fun, five-time Olympic gold medallist Kaylee McKeown last week pulled out of the Shanghai meet to focus on her mental health.

The Australian star, who retained her 100m and 200m backstroke Olympic titles in Paris, made the decision after competing on the first day of the Shanghai leg on Oct 18.

“I would like to thank World Aquatics for the opportunity to come out and race at World Cups, it’s been so much fun here in Shanghai,” she said on Instagram.

“Putting my mental health first, I’ve decided to cut my experience short. As an athlete, it’s so important to listen to your heart and to know when enough is enough.

“Time for a well-overdue break.” AFP