Florent Manaudou’s swimming career has been a real mix of highs and some pretty tough lows. He’s medaled in the 50m freestyle at four straight Olympics—taking gold in 2012, silver in 2016 and 2020, and just recently snagging bronze at the Paris Games. But the road hasn’t been easy for the sprint legend. Leading up to the 2023-24 season, Manaudou struggled a lot, often focusing too much on the results and falling into depression when things didn’t go his way. So how did he keep pushing through all the pressure? It seems part of the answer might lie in the inspiration he found from Leon Marchand.

Recently, Florent Manaudou opened up in a SwimSwam interview on YouTube titled “How Sprint Star Florent Manaudou Medaled in the 50 Free at 4 Different Olympic Games.” When asked about his interactions with France’s ‘golden boy’ Leon Marchand, who dominated the Paris 2024 Olympics with five medals, including four golds, Manaudou was impressed.

The host asked if it was Marchand’s personality or his presence that stood out, noting how grounded and mellow he seemed despite his incredible success. Manaudou’s response gave insight into what it was like to be around such an outstanding talent. To this Florent shared, “For me, he (Leon Marchand, 22) is an inspiration even if, uh, I’m, uh, 12 years older than him. You can find inspiration in everyone and the way he was at the Olympics. I’m not talking about the result, because this is different.”

He acknowledged Marchand’s impressive track record, noting that he was a world champion multiple (4) times before the Olympics (after Paris 5) and excelled at the NCAA level, often with high expectations from fans and peers alike. He emphasized that it’s easy to forget Marchand’s age, stating, “We forget sometimes that he is only 22 years old.” Reflecting on the immense pressure faced by athletes, Manaudou drew parallels to stars like Simone Biles and Caeleb Dressel, who both took breaks to prioritize their mental health. And then boom, Simone won 4 medals in the Paris Olympics, and Dressel won 2 golds.

During the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles faced immense pressure after her success at the Rio Olympics, where she won five medals. Unfortunately, she had to withdraw from the team final in Tokyo due to experiencing “the twisties,” a mental block that can impact gymnasts. However, since her return in 2023, she has been performing brilliantly.

Caeleb Dressel faced a similar struggle when he stepped into the spotlight after Michael Phelps’ retirement. The pressure weighed heavily on him, leading to anxiety and panic attacks. After being diagnosed with anxiety and dealing with depression, he learned to navigate the mental challenges of elite swimming. Following an eight-month break in 2022, Dressel came back strong, claiming five gold medals in 2021.

Florent Manaudou recounted the palpable relief Dressel displayed after the 100m final in Tokyo, recognizing the immense burden that comes with being a top competitor like Phelph’s, not just from oneself but also from the expectations of Team USA and the world. He said, “Oh my God, this guy had so much pressure on himself and on his shoulders. I don’t know from who, but from himself, I think, first of all, but also all of Team USA and the world.”

In contrast, when Manaudou sees Marchand smiling and relaxed during finals in Paris, he feels a sense of admiration. “This guy is an inspiration,” he noted. Marchand’s ability to maintain his composure shows the importance of a positive mindset, but it all started when he himself made an initiative.

Leon Marchand’s journey against the odds

After returning from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Leon Marchand felt pretty disappointed. Then, just 19 years old, he finished sixth in the 400m IM with a time of 4:11.16—more than a second slower than his personal best from the French Trials at that time. Feeling like he was swimming more out of fear than joy, he decided to seek help from a mental health specialist. He realized that his nervousness was really holding him back.

On top of that, Marchand reached out to the renowned coach Bob Bowman, who was leading the Arizona State University swimming team, to see if he could join. “The first thing I worked on with my mental coach, Thomas Sammut, was managing my stress and nervousness before competitions,” he explained. “When I was really nervous, I couldn’t swim well at all. So, I’ve been working on that, trying to be as relaxed as possible before and during competitions.”

To help with his mental focus, Leon Marchand learned some breathing techniques from Sammut, which also helped improve his sleep. “I breathe only through my nose for a few minutes; it helps me stay calm and fall asleep,” he noted. During competitions, he used a more extensive breathing routine, which you could see when he walked from the changing room to the starting point. “I close my eyes and think about my swim, my race, and a few words that make me feel better. It really helps me manage my energy for the competition,” he added. But it’s not just Marchand who emphasized mental health; Florent Manaudou also prioritized his well-being.

Florent Manaudou often felt overwhelmed by the pressure and expectations that came with being a top athlete in Paris. He realized that focusing too much on outcomes led him to anxiety and depression, so he decided to seek help. By working with a mental coach, he learned to manage his stress and nervousness, shifting his mindset from one of fear to one of joy and confidence in the water. His journey really highlights an important truth: the higher you go in sports, the more essential it is to prioritize your mental health. Even the best athletes need to take care of their well-being to truly shine.