Marchand wins gold in the 200M butterfly and 200M breaststroke

NANTERRE, France — French sensation Léon Marchand continued his spectacular run at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first swimmer in history to win the 200-meter butterfly and the 200-meter breaststroke at the same Games. And he did it on the same night.

Marchand claimed his first gold medal of the day in the 200-meter butterfly, setting an Olympic record with a time of 1:51.21, beating out Hungary’s Kristóf Milák, who finished second in 1:51.75.

UNREAL. LEON MARCHAND MAKES AN INCREDIBLE COMEBACK TO HEAVYEN THE CROWD IN PARIS. 🇫🇷#Olympic Games in Paris | 📺 NBC & Pauw photo.twitter.com/oErY1zMUvu

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 31, 2024

About two hours later, Marchand set another Olympic record by swimming the 200-meter breaststroke in a time of 2:05.85. It was probably the best one-night swimming performance in Olympic history.

“I knew it was possible for me to finish the races, but maybe not win them,” Marchand said. “I never knew (if I could win both).”

Earlier in the week, Marchand won a gold medal in the 400-meter medley, making him three out of three in gold, with one event left on the program.

He is only the fourth male swimmer in Olympic history to win more than two individual gold medals at the same Games.

“Marchand’s march to greatness CONTINUES!” 🇫🇷

Leon Marchand is simply unstoppable in his home country, winning gold in the men’s 200m breaststroke. #Olympic Games in Paris photo.twitter.com/DEAEFeIxG4

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 31, 2024

The 22-year-old Frenchman, competing in the Olympic Games in his home country, has been under a microscope throughout the competition, carrying the pressure and hopes of his compatriots with him in every swim. And he has absolutely delivered.

Marchand’s time of 4:02.95 in the 400 IM was also an Olympic record, breaking Michael Phelps’ record from 2008. It was Marchand’s first Olympic gold medal and a moment that gave him goosebumps. Marchand said he was proud of himself and his country as well.

Wednesday was set to be a highlight of Marchand’s schedule in Paris, with his hopes of swimming the 200 butterfly and 200 breaststroke finals in two hours. It’s an ambitious double with two grueling races, but one that Marchand said he was prepared for based on his NCAA experience at Arizona State. Accustomed to doubles and short turnaround times between races, he felt confident he could handle the schedule here.

Marchand’s coach, Bob Bowman, told him he thought he could complete Wednesday’s double after the 400-meter individual medley final because his breaststroke looked so strong.

Marchand said the last few days felt “a bit like a marathon,” but he felt he had enough time to recover and prepare in between. Winning two gold medals in one night was a dream of his.

“I won two gold medals in two hours, and that’s really unbelievable,” he said.

Marchand has been confident in almost every setting he has been in during his home games. Paris La Défense Arena has embraced him with both arms, the crowd loud and boisterous every time he has stepped onto the starting block, with one competitor comparing it to the atmosphere of a football match.

STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING AND LISTEN. 🔉

Leon Marchand sent the Parisian fans into a frenzy of excitement during his comeback victory. #Olympic Games in Paris photo.twitter.com/3a5tdktQ0a

— NBC Sport (@NBCSports) July 31, 2024

But Marchand had prepared for this moment, and he knew going into the competition how hard he had worked to make it to this stage. Bowman has had similar experiences with his former protégé — Phelps. He has tried to keep Marchand in his routine and avoid as many distractions as possible.

“The most important thing is to prepare yourself in the water, the most important thing is to swim as fast as possible,” Marchand said The Athletics this spring. “But it’s not just about swimming when it’s a home Olympics.”

The Olympics at home also means his smile is a lot wider when he touches the walls and the cheers are louder than he could ever have imagined.

Marchand has another chance to win a medal in the men’s 200-meter individual medley, swimming in the preliminary rounds for that event on Thursday morning.

For more information about swimming at the Olympics, follow The Athleticslive blog of.

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(Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)