Nanterre, France (AP) : Léon Marchand has become a national hero, winning his fourth gold medal at the Paris Olympics, setting off celebrations across the city. His remarkable performance in the 200-meter individual medley not only added to his medal tally but also set a new Olympic record of 1 minute, 54.06 seconds, narrowly missing Ryan Lochte’s world record. Léon Marchand
At the Stade de France, an ovation erupted so loud that it delayed the decathlon’s 400-meter run. The excitement extended to the French Olympic House, where 20,000 gathered to witness Marchand’s victory. Among the spectators was French President Emmanuel Macron, who later congratulated Marchand, calling his achievements “historic.”
Marchand’s victory makes him only the fourth swimmer in history to win four individual golds at a single Olympic Games, joining legends like Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz, and Kristin Otto. His coach, Bob Bowman, praised Marchand for his flawless execution and handling of pressure on home soil. Bowman, who also coached Phelps, hinted that Marchand’s journey is just beginning and that he could potentially break more records in future events.
Léon Marchand
The French crowd, chanting “Léon! Léon! Léon!” and waving the tricolore flag, celebrated their new hero, who fulfilled the nation’s high expectations. Marchand’s success brought a sense of national pride, as he stood on the podium, leading fans in a rendition of “La Marseillaise.”
Australia also celebrated victories, with Cameron McEvoy winning gold in the 50 freestyle and Kaylee McKeown clinching the 200 backstroke. McKeown’s win made her the first female swimmer to sweep the backstroke events in two consecutive Olympics, highlighting a strong year for women’s sports globally.
American swimmer Caeleb Dressel faced a challenging Olympics, finishing sixth in the 50 freestyle and failing to qualify for the 100 butterfly final. Despite his struggles, Dressel anchored the U.S. to gold in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, adding an eighth gold to his career total. Léon Marchand
As the Paris Olympics continue, the world will be watching to see what Léon Marchand and other athletes will achieve. For now, Marchand enjoys a well-deserved break, with future goals and records in sight.
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