Wednesday, June 22, the tall blond with the face of a child struck again in the Hungarian pools. Léon Marchand, who just turned 20, stunned his opponents with a third medal and a second world title in the 200 meter medley. The boy, who has fascinated swimming observers for a few years, now trains in the United States in Arizona, but he was trained in his hometown, at the Dauphins du TOEC, the best swimming club in France. Its president Vincent Gardeau was the guest of the morning of France Bleu and France 3 Occitanie this Thursday.
Léon Marchand is the first Frenchman to win three individual medals at a World Swimming Championship. Is that completely insane?!
Yes, it makes the whole of France dream. He is a trained swimmer at the club, who rose through the ranks very quickly. I thought he was more scheduled for Paris 2024. He won his two titles with a big lead over his opponents. He has an extraordinary innate talent like Rafael Nadal or Antoine Dupont. But to perform at a high level, you also need work, attention to detail. Leon is a perfectionist, he pays attention to everything, no training is sloppy. From his dive, everything is perfect.
We thought it will be quite ready for 2024, it is ahead of our forecasts
The director of the French team says he has an extraordinary recovery. Did you notice it before he left for the USA?
Yes, he was already able to chain courses at a very high level, there he has gone one step further. The titles make it possible to transcend the pain, one is more tired at the end of a lost match than a won match.
His departure to the USA was a good choice?
It’s a very good choice, in perfect collaboration with Nicolas Castel, his trainer, with whom he swims as soon as he returns and who is part of the management of the French team. Léon has two coaches, Bob Bowman in the United States, the legendary coach of Michael Phelps, and Nicolas Castel in France, a pure product of the TOEC Dolphins who has already qualified several swimmers for the Olympic Games.
Would he have been so successful if he hadn’t left?
With Nicolas Castel a year ago, he finished 6th at the Olympics in the 400m medley, and he hadn’t finished training. He would have continued to progress with Nicolas but with the Castel-Bowman duo he went very high, very fast, very far.
– KEMPINAIRE STEPHANE / KMSP
His physical transformation impresses you?
No, Léon is not a “golgoth”, like Alain Bernard, all in muscles. He’s not Michael Phelps, he’s much thinner and more slender. In the competitions there are many swimmers who are much stronger than Léon, like Maxime Grousset who is 2nd in the 100 free meters in Budapest. It can take even more force.
Léon must return to Toulouse on Sunday or Monday, we will have a party!
What is his character, is he a modest boy or does he like sequins?
Nope, he is a very modest boy who likes to be with friends, he is not a great communicator. He flees glory, he is intelligent and full of humility. He was born in Toulouse, he learned to swim with the TOEC Dolphins, he kept their values.
What a spotlight in any case on the Dauphins, where Léon is still fired!
It is certain, it is a magnificent reward, we have ambitious plans to grow the club. We managed to select four swimmers for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, we also hope for four for the Paris 2024 Olympics and why not a few medals, including those of Léon. Now we are waiting for Léon who still has a race on Saturday with the relays, alongside another TOEC swimmer, Antoine Viquerat. He must return to Toulouse on Sunday or Monday, we are going to have a little party.