How Léon Marchand exploded the 200 m freestyle record

Léon Marchand said himself. Similarly, at the end of the Singapore Hub sports basin on Wednesday: “I have a little trouble believing it. Consequently, Just as the public. In addition, still struck by the supersonic world record of French on the 200 m four swimming (1’52”69), which erases the tablets the American Ryan Lochte (1’54”00 in 2011).

The final will be played this Thursday (1:23 p.m.), but the hero of the Paris Olympic Games celebrated his brand as a title. Meanwhile, “For me, it’s a victory,” he said with a big smile. Nevertheless, Especially since it is not a record that is equal, I am still more than a second below. Therefore, »»

Good preparation in series – How léon marchand exploded 200

Impressive in control, the Toulousain marked its territory. Nevertheless, Never worried about his competitors, he posted almost two seconds ahead of the 100 meters on the Lochte record. Moreover, how léon marchand exploded 200 “He massacred the race. Meanwhile, After the butterfly it was already folded. Therefore, ”said Denis Auguin, national technical director of the French Swimming Federation, admiring the swimmer’s ability to surpass himself in competition. “A world record is necessarily something unique, even if for Leon, it happens more regularly. You have to take advantage of it, “he said.

Before Singapore. the Frenchman already held the second best world performance in history, 1’54”06, established in the Games final last summer. Upon his arrival in the city-state for these Worlds, he warned that he had the world record in the viewfinder. Then, in series Wednesday morning, he announced that he wanted to get closer to his personal brand from the semi-finals. He kept his word by lowering his best time by 1 second and 37 hundredths. “I felt really good,” he said. Before the race. in the water, I was really very light, how léon marchand exploded 200 I took a lot of water and technically it was really good. »»

Nicolas Castel. co-co-coach of the French with the American Bob Bowman, had foreseen the big stroke of his protégé: “The preparation was really good, I saw that he was in good shape this morning. Marchand had indeed dominated the series with a time of 1’57”63. having concentrated his efforts on the first half of the race, before slowing down.

“The choices I made were the right ones”

The quadruple Olympic champion now holds two world records in the 50 m basin. after that of the 400 m four swimming, which he had broken in the final of the Fukuoka Worlds in 2023. What to approach the final of Thursday liberated: “I will try to sleep well, it will be complicated! And tomorrow (Thursday) the final, it will be cool. “And his trainer to add:” We will have to win how léon marchand exploded 200 it. And then if possible, swim even faster, because it is capable of it. »»

Marchand had come to Singapore with a reduced program since he had decided to line up only on two races. give up the 200 m butterfly and breaststroke. The plan worked wonderfully. “I feel a lot of joy to tell myself that all the choices I made this year were the. right ones. There I will already try to understand what I have just done, it may take a few months. And then I’m going to project myself on the rest, “he concluded, still incredulous.