Leon Marchand Wins Gold, Sets Olympic Record

French swimmer Léon Marchand captivated home fans with a dominant performance in the 400-meter individual medley at the Paris 2024 Olympics, breaking Michael Phelps' Olympic record with a time of 4:02.95. The atmosphere at La Défense Arena was electric, with over 14,000 fans chanting and cheering Marchand on, which he acknowledged helped propel him to victory. Marchand, coached by Phelps' former mentor Bob Bowman, has been compared to the American legend and is competing in four individual events, aiming to add more golds to his collection. His victory by nearly six seconds over silver medalist Tomoyuki Matsushita of Japan and bronze medalist Carson Foster of the USA was a testament to his prowess. French President Emmanuel Macron personally congratulated Marchand, underscoring the national pride in his achievements. This win marks a significant moment for French swimming, with Marchand emerging as the standout star of the Games.