Michael Phelps was the guest of honor at the “Demain le sport” festival organized Thursday, September 22 by franceinfo, with France Télévisions and The Team, at the House of Radio and Music. The most successful American athlete in the history of the Olympic Games spoke about his new life and his fight for mental health. Interviewed by Jérôme Val, from the Sports Department of Radio France, Michael Phelps also spoke about the incredible career of Toulousain Léon Marchand of the Dauphins du Toec, new nugget of French swimming.
France info: Have you met him before?
The first time I saw him was at the Olympics. Bob [Bowman, ex-entraîneur de Michael Phelps et aujourd’hui celui de Léon Marchand] told me about it and I said to myself that I had to pay attention to this kid. He looked very small at the time and he has grown a lot since those Games. But what is certain is that it is a fighter. You line him up in a race, he wins it. He just has to find the means to get his hands on the wall before everyone else. It reminds me of the way I used to swim.
“I know he’s trying to break my world record but I want to tell him, give me one more year, just one short year!” —Michael Phelps
I know he’s trying to break my world record but I want to tell him, give me one more year, just one short year. But records are made to be broken and I’m sure he will break it. He will have the chance to swim at his home in Paris for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, on his own land, something that I have never had the chance to do. I’m sure he’s impatient.
Are you impressed by the success of his adaptation in the United States, as a young Frenchman?
Yes of course. I mean, he has a good example in the person of his father who was a swimmer. I saw him with his father. So he has a good pedigree. He knows how to handle stressful situations. And I think he has adapted very well in the United States. The training group in Baltimore is one of the best around. The youngsters are really starting to reach their best. And again, I’m just excited to see what he’s going to do. I think he could really push the limits.
How far can he go, Léon Marchand?
As far as he wants! If I had to be picky on one point – and I know Bob would say the same, maybe – I think he needs to improve his backstroke. He is too slow. You can’t break the record in the medley if you miss one.
Bob Bowman is the right trainer for Léon Marchand?
I think so. Obviously, he got great results from him. He managed to train it to achieve great results. I think Leon is ready to work. He’s ready to swim, he’s ready to prepare to be as good as he wants to be. So, yes, Bob is a great coach, obviously. I spent my whole career with him, so I won’t say anything else.