Léon Marchand: The French swimmer breaking records on his way to Paris 2024
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00:00 he's starting to get used to this.
00:02 Léon Marchand sings along to the French national anthem
00:05 as he bags a hat-trick of gold medals in the pool this week.
00:08 On Thursday, the French swimmer met expectations,
00:11 crushing the competition to comfortably win the 200-metre individual medley.
00:16 While his little brother erupted in joy,
00:20 Léon showed his usual remarkable composure.
00:24 I'll say for this victory, as I did after the 200-metre butterfly
00:27 and 400-metre medley.
00:29 But you know, it's also a waste of energy when you burst with joy, etc.
00:32 So I'm keeping my emotions in check,
00:34 but I'll be glad to be on holiday and properly savour all this.
00:37 The young swimmer is a torpedo underwater,
00:41 where he spends a quarter of the race.
00:43 With each turn, he swims 14 metres underwater
00:47 out of the 15 metres allowed, giving him an edge on his rivals.
00:51 It's what I do every day in training, so I'm used to it.
00:55 But it can also really hurt the lungs and legs.
00:58 So it's not always easy.
00:59 But when you see that it's allowing you to get ahead, it's pretty cool.
01:02 Another reason for his success is Bob Bowman, his American coach
01:08 and the man who helped Michael Phelps to his 23 Olympic gold medals.
01:12 The famously tough coach has softened somewhat,
01:15 but remains firm with his student.
01:18 Last month at the French Swimming Championships,
01:21 Léon got his first taste of the spotlight.
01:24 Who are you waiting for?
01:25 Léon Marchand.
01:26 Léon Marchand.
01:28 Léon Marchand.
01:29 At just 21, the Frenchman is already a five-time world champion
01:33 and is one to watch as he races towards the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
01:39 [MUSIC PLAYING]