French swimmer Marchand wins gold medal with Olympic record in 400m medley

Leon Marchand won France's first swimming gold medal since 2012, breaking a new world record in the 400-meter individual freestyle. He beat all of his competitors and broke the record. Many people have high goals for those who hold world records. When you are a world record holder competing for your country in the Olympics, everyone has high expectations for you.

In the 400-meter solo medley, swimmers use all four strokes: freestyle, butterfly, backstroke, and breaststroke. On July 28, Léon Marchand set the fastest qualifying time. Later that night, Marchand jumped into the final and never looked back, sending the volume level skyrocketing again. The 22-year-old kept ahead of the pack during the run, slowly pulling away from them. He had more than three body lengths to spare when he turned to go home.

Adam Peaty lost the 100-meter breaststroke final, but world record holder Leon Marchand dominated the 400-meter individual medley. Let's explore more about Leon Marchand's record in the Paris Olympics, his history, and his gold medals.

Who is Leon Marchand?

Leon Marchand is a rising talent among French swimmers. He has won titles at the World, NCAA, and European Championships. Marchand's profile has grown in the years leading up to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

The 22-year-old got off to a strong start on Sunday and never looked back. He completed it in 4 minutes and 02.95 seconds, about six seconds ahead of Tomoyuki Matsushita of Japan in second place and Carson Foster of the United States in third.

Leon Marchand History

Léon was born on May 17, 2002, in Toulouse, France. He attended Arizona State University and majored in computer science for the 2023-2024 academic year. Marchand took third place in August in the 400-meter individual medley at the 2019 World Junior Swimming Championships in Budapest, Hungary. She ran a new French record of 4:16.37 in the event. Overall, he had an excellent meeting. He finished seventh in the 200-meter individual medley (2:01.53), seventh in the butterfly final (1:58.73), tenth in the 200-meter breaststroke (2:15.13), and sixteenth in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:03.03).

Marchand set a personal best and a French record in the 400-meter individual medley at the 2021 French Elite Swimming Championships in Chartres, finishing in 4 minutes and 9.65 seconds. This earned him a spot on France's Olympic Team for the 2020 Summer Olympics. 

Marchand performed remarkably well in several swimming events at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. At 4:11.16, he finished sixth in the 400-meter individual medley. He also finished 10th in the 4x100-meter medley relay, 14th in the 200-meter butterfly (1:55.68), and 18th in the 200-meter solo medley (1:58.30).

Leon Marchand Olympic record time

Marchand won his first Olympic gold medal in 4 minutes and 2.95 seconds, breaking Michael Phelps' previous mark set at the 2008 Beijing Games. Carson Foster of the United States finished third in the 400-meter individual medley event on Sunday night, with Tomoyuki Matsushita of Japan taking second.

 Leon Marchand set a new Paris 2024 Olympic record time for the men's 400-meter individual medley.

Leon Marchand of France smashed the previous record to win gold in the 400-meter individual medley in front of a rowdy home crowd.

The youthful sensation earned him the first of four gold medals in Paris at the La Defense Arena. He finished ahead of Tomoyuki Matsushita of Japan in second and Carson Foster of the United States in third by 5.67 seconds.

Max Litchfield of Great Britain finished fourth in the Olympics for the third time in a row. However, he broke the British record by finishing in 4 minutes and 8.85 seconds.

Märzand, at 22, was praised home by the Partisans since he was a model boy before the Games. Despite failing to exceed his world record, he surpassed the Olympic record set by the great Michael Phelps of the United States at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Bob Bowman is currently teaching Marchand throughout the United States. He was Michael Phelps' coach and witnessed him win the last Olympics. Bowman was 59 years old when he wrote to Phelps and sought help. He also swims the 200-meter breaststroke, butterfly, and medley.

 Marchand of France wins the gold medal after setting an Olympic swimming record in 2024.

French swimmer Leon Marchand set a new Olympic record in the men's 400-meter individual medley on Sunday, earning him a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

An American swimmer, Michael Phelps, established the previous record of 4 minutes and 03.84 seconds. Marchand then beat it in 4 minutes and 02.95 seconds.

Marchand also held the world record, clocking it at 4 minutes and 2.50 seconds.

Marchand has three more events to swim in the Paris Olympics:

• 200m butterfly (Tuesday, July 30)
• 200m breaststroke (Tuesday, July 30)
• 200m IM (Thursday, Aug. 1)

Leon Marchand Olympic medal

FAQs

Q. Who won the 400 IM in the Olympics?

Leon Marchand won the 400IM at the Paris 2024 Olympics and set a record by finishing in 4 minutes and 02.95 seconds.

Q. How many gold medals does Leon Marchand have?

Marchand has 10 medals: 6 are gold, 1 is silver, and 3 are bronze.