Marchand Breaks Record and Becomes King of Paris 2024
Léon Marchand has solidified his status as the undisputed king of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with a historic achievement in swimming. In a standout performance, the French swimmer not only claimed his third gold medal but also set a new Olympic record in the 200 meters butterfly. Marchand won with a time of 1:51.21 minutes, surpassing Hungarian Kristof Milak and marking a new milestone in the event.
The 22-year-old French swimmer has taken a significant step towards his ambitious goal of winning four gold medals at these Olympics. His day began with a notable victory in the 200 meters butterfly final, where he broke the previous Olympic record. Despite facing formidable competitors like Milak, who had shown himself to be a strong contender in the preliminary and semifinal rounds, Marchand delivered an outstanding performance.
In the 200 meters butterfly final, Milak, the Tokyo gold medalist and world record holder in the distance, appeared to have the upper hand after the initial laps. However, Marchand demonstrated impressive recovery, especially in the final 50 meters, where his finishing speed of 28.97 seconds allowed him to overtake Milak, who finished the last stretch in 30.23 seconds. The final margin between the two swimmers was just 54 hundredths of a second, reflecting the intense competition.
This double gold medal achievement, including his previous win in the 400 meters individual medley, is an unprecedented feat in Olympic swimming history. Marchand is now preparing for his final event, the 200 meters individual medley, with the aim of achieving his goal of four gold medals in Paris. His impressive performance so far has cemented his status as one of the great names in global swimming.
Marchand's path to Olympic glory has been remarkable, and his ability to overcome elite rivals like Milak underscores his talent and dedication. As the Games near their end, all eyes will be on Marchand to see if he can complete his historic mission and set a new standard in Olympic swimming.