“Leon’s going to continue to bring the best out of me” – The budding swimming rivalry between Carson Foster and Léon Marchand developed well before the 2024 Paris Olympics. Even though the two locked horns at the NCAA and World levels, they recently crossed paths in the French capital. While Marchand clinched 5 Olympic medals on his home turf, the American walked away with 2 Olympic medals. But with the Summer Games being done and dusted, the duo will soon train together at the Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center. 

The 2x Olympic medalist appeared on episode 196 of the Social Kick podcast on October 1. The host asked the 22-year-old how he felt about training with his French rival. “He’s got a lot of racing between World Cups and short course worlds before that. So he’s training, and he’s training in France,” Foster reiterated how busy the Golden Boy’s schedule will be in the next months. He continued, “But I’m excited for when it happens.” Why will the Olympian train with him in Texas? 

Bob Bowman spent nine seasons with the ASU Sun Devils. However, after leading them to their first NCAA team championship this season, the veteran coach has moved to the Texas Longhorns. He will now be the Head Coach and Director of Swimming. Léon Marchand will soon follow his long-time coach. Foster confessed the one thing he’s always wanted to ask Bowman is if there’s a ‘rough marker for the best in the world‘ for Léon, during training. 

“And so I’m excited to see that when he’s in Austin and when we get to train together.” The 3x National Champion confesses that Bob Bowman’s role as a head coach is quite thrilling. However, it’s not for the reason many would assume. “Because that was one of the main exciting points for me when Bob got the job is that I’ll get to train with Léon,” he stated. Are the two foes friends outside the pool? Not exactly.

Carson Forster clarified that they’ve only kept it to casual chit-chat every time they’ve crossed paths at meets. However, it’s never been anything beyond that. So trailing alongside each other will help the NCAA swimming star understand the Frenchman better. “So, obviously, there hasn’t been much to talk about it because it’s a few months down the line,” he exclaimed. But while this could be an exciting opportunity for the duo, what does Léon Marchand think about training in the States?

Léon Marchand’s fateful move to the United States

The swimmer competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 400m IM, 200mIM, 4x100m medley relay, and the 200m butterfly before reaching out to the veteran coach. But after missing out on the podium by placing 6th, 18th, 10th, and 14th respectively, the Frenchman knew he wanted more. “I would like to join the university of Arizona State in summer 2021 for swim and compete in NCAA with your amazing team,” he confessed in a cold email to Bowman.

Much to Léon Marchand’s, the coach promptly reached out to him. After a few Skype calls, the Olympian made it to Arizona State University with a full scholarship in tow. However, this move came as a huge culture shock for him. In Louis Vuitton’s podcast episode, Léon Marchand on Life Beyond the Medals, France’s golden boy opened up about his experience with Bob Bowman. “Yes. American coaches are really committed. I’ve seen him running around the pool. It’s his whole life. He’s full-on committed to what we’re doing,” he exclaimed. 

All that came to fruition when the duo won their first NCAA national title with ASU. Over the years, the swimmer clinched a surmountable amount of hardware. But his biggest haul was at the recently concluded Paris Olympics. He snagged 4 golds and Olympic Records in the 200m butterfly, 200mIM, 200m breaststroke, and 400mIM. The swimmer clinched one silver in the 4x100m medley relay. However, getting to this point wasn’t as easy as it looks.

“And in the States, there’s a university rule that you’re not allowed to put in more than 25 hours a week because there are classes as well.” So, how does Bob Bowman work around this? “He really fills the two-hour sessions well, and there isn’t much recovery time,” Léon Marchand confessed. The swimmer will be incredibly busy this year. However, he will join the veteran coach and Carson Foster in Texas as soon as the new year begins.