"Leon Marchand wasn’t the favorite"- French President Emmanuel Macron weighs in on the swimmer's incredible performance at the Paris Olympics

By Animesh Pandey

Modified Oct 15, 2024 04:04 GMT

Ace swimmer Leon Marchand is one of the favorite athletes of French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron shared why he enjoyed his compatriot's performance at the Paris Olympics.

In an interview with Variety magazine, Macron opened up on various issues, including the Paris Games. When asked about his favorite memories, he replied:

"I’m hesitating between Leon Marchand, when he won his two gold medals in two hours on the same day. It was incredible. He wasn’t the favorite. And in judo as well, when we got the gold medal for the team after this incredible finale with Japan with Teddy Riner.”

Macron also recounted how the Paris Olympics benefited France overall.

"….In Paris, we welcomed 1.7 million tourists during the first week of the Olympics, with very good prospects until the end of the summer for international visitors. Overall, the beautiful images of Paris and France during the Olympic Games will undoubtedly have a very positive impact in the short and medium term", he added.

Leon Marchand created a record on July 31 by winning the men's 200m butterfly and the 200m breaststroke in a single session. The Paris Olympics organizers chose him to carry the Olympic flame to be extinguished during the closing ceremony.

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Leon Marchand at the Olympics

Leon Marchand after winning the 200m Individual Medley final at the Paris Olympics 2024 [Image Source: Getty]

Leon Marchand was one of the strong favorites for France at the Paris Olympics. Many viewed him as a successor to the great Michael Phelps, including the Olympic legend himself.

Marchand didn't disappoint either. The 22-year-old French swimmer opened his campaign with an Olympic gold medal in the men's 400m individual medley event, with a new Olympic record of 4:02.95 minutes.

He followed it up with back-to-back gold medals in the 200m butterfly and the 200m breaststroke, clocking 1:51.21 and 2:05.85, respectively, breaking the previous Olympic records.

Marchand again broke the Olympic record as he won the Olympic gold medal in the men's 200m individual medley, with a timing of 1:54.06. He became only the fourth swimmer in Olympic history to have won four Olympic gold medals in a single edition.

The French swimmer attempted for a fifth gold medal in the men's 4x100m medley relay. But despite setting a new national record of 3:28.38, the French team could only manage a bronze medal. However, Leon Marchand had a brilliant campaign at the Paris Olympics, winning five medals in total.