Léon Marchand Delivers Unprecedented Olympic Double with Wins in 200 Fly and 200 Breast
PARIS — In the storied history of swimming at the Olympics, no athlete had ever achieved the feat of winning medals in both the 200-meter butterfly and the 200-meter breaststroke. Until now. On Wednesday at Paris La Défense Arena, Léon Marchand, a 22-year-old French phenom, accomplished this unprecedented double in a span of just 116 minutes, etching his name into the annals of Olympic history.
The Historic Double
Marchand's journey began at 8:38 p.m. when he emerged from a makeshift tunnel, greeted by an electrifying French crowd. Propelled by their roar, he surged past Hungarian star Kristof Milak in the final stretch of the 200-meter butterfly, setting a new Olympic record. His celebration was a mix of jubilation and restraint—a finger wag, a gentle fist clench, and waves to the adoring crowd.
The noise was deafening, a testament to the passion of the French fans. "Cannot explain how loud it was here during Marchand’s final 50," tweeted Henry Bushnell, capturing the electrifying atmosphere.
After his victory in the butterfly, Marchand quickly transitioned to the breaststroke event. By 10:32 p.m., he was back in the pool, leading wire-to-wire to claim his third gold of the 2024 Games in the 200-meter breaststroke. This time, his celebration was more exuberant—smacking the water and raising both arms triumphantly. He stood still, absorbing the moment, a legend in the making.
A Unique Challenge
The double Marchand achieved is not just a physical feat but a strategic one. The two strokes are fundamentally different: the butterfly is an out-to-in motion above water, while the breaststroke is an in-to-out motion underwater. Historically, no high-level swimmer had attempted this double at the Olympics. The closest anyone had come was American Mary Sears, who won bronze in the inaugural 100-meter butterfly and finished seventh in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Marchand's coaches had to lobby for a schedule change to make the double possible. "Organizers had never encountered this problem, because until now, no very high-level swimmer had done the 200 breaststroke and the 200 butterfly," explained Julien Issoulié, French swimming technical director.
The Preparation
Under the tutelage of Bob Bowman, the longtime coach of Michael Phelps, Marchand refined his technique and endurance at Arizona State University. He regularly swam doubles in NCAA competitions, setting and resetting collegiate records. "I've done way, way more difficult [doubles], I think, in the NCAA season," he said.
At the French trials, Marchand qualified first in both events, despite experiencing blurred vision and fatigue between races. "I've always liked back-to-back races in intense competitions. I recuperate quite quickly. I love this," he said.
The Moment of Triumph
On Wednesday, Marchand's mythical stature grew with each race. Competitors spoke in awe about sharing a pool with him, while teammates marveled at his abilities. "He’s Poseidon," said French backstroker Yohann Ndoye Brouard. "I swear, he’s Aquaman."
In the 200-meter butterfly, Marchand trailed Milak until the final 50 meters, where he surged ahead to win by 1.26 seconds. The crowd's roar was a powerful motivator. "I could hear the whole pool going crazy," Marchand said. "I think that's why I was able to win that race."
After the medal ceremony for the butterfly, Marchand quickly refocused for the breaststroke. At 10:50 p.m., he stood on the podium's top step once again, bowing in appreciation and smiling with satisfaction.
A New Legend
Léon Marchand's double is not just a record-breaking achievement but a defining moment in Olympic history. He has proven that the impossible is merely a challenge waiting to be conquered. "And that," he said, with humility, "is quite incredible."
As the French anthem played, Marchand stood tall, a new legend in the world of swimming, his name forever etched in the history of the Olympics.