Leon Marchand swims in Paris

Léon Marchand delivered a stunning performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning the gold medal in the men's 400-meter individual medley with a time of 4:02.95, setting a new Olympic record previously held by Michael Phelps. The event was electrifying, with over 15,000 fans cheering and chanting his name, showcasing the home-ground advantage as he led the race from start to finish. Marchand's victory fulfilled the expectations of the French crowd and marked his first Olympic gold after competing in Tokyo without a medal. He is now compared to Phelps, not only for his achievements but also for being trained by Phelps's coach, Bob Bowman. Japan's Tomoyuki Matsushita and the U.S.'s Carson Foster secured silver and bronze, respectively, with the competition for medals closely contested. Marchand's success positions him as a leading star of the games, with strong prospects in his upcoming events like the 200m butterfly and breaststroke.