As a proud French citizen who has witnessed Leon Marchand‘s extraordinary performance at the Paris Olympics, I can confidently say that his humility and dedication are truly inspiring. His relocation to Phoenix, Arizona, to train under Bob Bowman, the coach of the legendary Michael Phelps, was not just a geographical shift but a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence.
As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but express my awe for Leon Marchand, the remarkable 22-year-old swimming sensation who brought immense pride to Team France at the recent Paris Olympics. With an astounding haul of four gold medals and one silver, he undeniably stood out as one of the games’ most spectacular breakout athletes.
Following his final competition on Monday in March, Toulouse-born athlete, Marchand, who journeyed to Paris with his family, started a grueling media tour. However, it’s said that he declined an invitation to appear on one of the Olympics’ favorite talk shows, “Quels Jeux,” which is presented by well-known journalist Lea Salamé and broadcast by France Televisions.
As reported by Le Parisien, Salamé’s show has been deemed incompatible with the newspaper’s core values, without further clarification as to the specific reasons behind this assessment.
Despite the criticism, the Olympics coverage titled “Quels Jeux” remains a hot topic in France’s sports-obsessed media. Critics argue that the program is overly focused on celebrities at the expense of actual sports, essentially serving as a means for self-promotion. Moreover, Salamé, who typically covers politics, has faced criticism due to his lack of sporting expertise, casting doubt on his ability to host a show primarily centered around the Olympic Games.
On Monday evening, Marchand was warmly welcomed like a celebrated figure, as he paid a visit to Club France – the Olympics’ biggest fan zone housing around 40,000 people daily and hosting successful French athletes. The instant he stepped onto the stage, the ecstatic crowd roared with applause and chanted “Leon President,” showering him with adoration from the get-go.
Though he doesn’t aim for a career in politics, Leon Marchand has earned a passionate following from French President Emmanuel Macron. This was evident when the president leaped with joy at the Paris La Defense Arena upon Marchand’s fourth gold medal win on August 2nd. Following a period where his popularity dipped after disbanding the French National Assembly and calling for early elections, just prior to the Olympics, President Macron later shared a photo of him shaking hands with Leon, along with the message “Impossible n’est pas Français!” (“Impossible isn’t French!”) on social media. The post celebrated Marchand’s four GOLD medals at home and a new Olympic record, describing it as historic and attributing it to Leon Marchand.
Impossible n’est pas Français ! Quatre médailles en OR à la maison et un nouveau record olympique, c’est historique.
C’est Léon Marchand.— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 2, 2024
Three years ago, Marchand moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and appeared out of place as he stood under the stage lights. Addressing an enthusiastic crowd at Club France on Monday, the athlete expressed, “I don’t have many words. Folks, you were incredible! Honestly, it was amazing to see you here. You’ve been turning these Games into a wonderland. So, thank you all sincerely.”
Macron is deeply indebted to Marchand for his significant contributions. As a champion, he’s played a crucial role in making these Olympics thrive, turning the mood of the French populace from somber to jubilant within just a few days. Moreover, under his guidance, France has managed to set a historic record with 48 medals so far, placing the country third globally, after the U.S. and China.
During an interview with Anne-Sophie Lapix of France Televisions, Marchand explained that his education has instilled a sense of humility within him. He added that his parents often remind him to stay grounded, and he continues to do so by maintaining a balanced perspective. Additionally, Marchand mentioned that he is currently pursuing a degree in computer science at Arizona State University.
Regarding the unexpected popularity, he confided to Lapix that “Certainly, it’s a significant shift. I’m more introverted and I much prefer staying at home with my family compared to performing before a crowd of 15,000.”
After nine grueling days of fierce competition, I find myself in an unfamiliar position. The weight of my newfound status is not lost on me. Being surrounded by 15,000 spectators isn’t exactly my comfort zone, but it’s a challenge I’ve embraced. And let me tell you, wearing these five hard-earned medals around my neck for the photo shoot was quite a hefty experience – literally and figuratively! Yet, amidst all this, there were moments that made it all worthwhile, like getting to see my supporters up close during the competition. It was truly a memorable experience.
Known as “the dolphin” by his French fans, Marchand relocated to Arizona to work under Bob Bowman, the trainer of Michael Phelps, a 23-time Olympic gold medalist from America. He informed Lapix that he had been preparing for these Olympics for five years. “This week is gratifying; it’s a lot of effort.” In an interview with AFP (reported by Le Figaro) in February, Marchand disclosed that he lived with four other swimmers approximately 10 minutes from campus and woke up at 5 am every day to start training at 6 am.
Michael Phelps’ reaction on NBC yesterday during Leon Marchand’s 200m butterfly was enchanting! Incredible, Leon, thank you!
— Sébastien Baguerey 🇪🇺 (@SebastienBGY) August 1, 2024
After concluding his swimming competitions, Marchand intends to stay for the basketball, volleyball, and athletics finals. Additionally, he plans to enjoy an extended summer vacation to recuperate following his Olympic achievements.
As a movie buff, I’d rephrase it like this: “I’ve had discussions with my coach (Bowman) and have decided to take a break of about a month and a half to celebrate and explore new places. Before the Olympics, Bowman mentioned in the French sports newspaper “L’Equipe” that he wanted me to return to the U.S. promptly after the games. The reason being, he felt it would help me stay focused on preparing for future competitions, as there might be distractions in France with potential fame and recognition.”
Apart from praising Marchand to “L’Equipe”, Bowman expressed admiration. He noted how Marchand’s dedication over the years led to his current success. Bowman found Marchand’s resilience and attitude remarkable. Furthermore, he mentioned that he had made a promise to a young man three years ago, which Marchand has now fulfilled. It wasn’t just a test for Marchand; it was equally challenging for Bowman as well.
KJ Yossman contributed to this report.
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2024-08-06 17:17