Leon Marchand’s name has been on everyone’s lips lately. And why wouldn’t it be? Marchand won four Golds at the 2024 Paris Olympics. That is an accomplishment of no ordinary proportions. He won Gold in 200m butterfly, 200m medley, 200m breaststroke, and 400m medley. And, to top it all off, he also won a bronze in the 4x100m medley relay. Now that’s how legends are made! But Leon Marchand is not interested in just medals, he is becoming an icon for the era to come. And no doubt, Marchand is becoming one flawlessly.

At the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Marchand paid homage to the coal-mining heritage of La Grand-Combe in a symbolic and moving gesture. He put out the Olympic cauldron with a miner’s lamp. This was no ordinary act! It was a tribute to the miners who once worked tirelessly in the dark pits, giving the region its identity. Pushing him further into the epicenter of media buzz. The media frenzy hasn’t bothered this champion. In fact, he is embracing it. Moreover, for the five-time Olympic medalist, the Games are far from over.

The persona of the beloved Leon Marchand

Leon Marchand is not just winning medals, but hearts across the globe. Marchand’s humility and public persona have been the topic of chatter across many coffee tables. His sportsmanship even caught the eyes of President Emmanuel Macron and Olympic icons like Teddy Riner. Wondering what it is about Marchand? “I am naturally shy, I will remain myself so as not to lose energy,” says Marchand.

However, Marchand is not without his share of troubles! During Paris, a moment unintentionally captured went viral. It showed Marchand snubbing a young fan, Apolline, in the corridors of Club France. He left no time to turn it around. Marchand made a heartfelt gesture and sent Apolline a personalized swimming cap and a book on swimming, dedicated “For Apolline, from Léon M.” To top it off, he even FaceTimed her, showing his medals and offering a sincere apology.

Rugby star Antoine Dupont was quick to second it reinforcing Marchand’s growing role as a icon of French sportsmanship. Leon Marchand is also not one to shy away from the camera. Yet he has turned down a guest spot on Léa Salamé’s show ‘Quelles jeux!’ Marchand also steered clear of the media, often passing up appearances to other teammates. Letting them bask in the glory. This is not Marchand shying away from the limelight but doing something bigger.

After carrying the weight of Marchand’s gold rush, he might be on a well-earned break. Marchand, however, isn’t just reveling in his glory, instead, he is shifting the spotlight. Where to? To the Paralympics 2024! These are no empty words either. Marchand dropped a video celebrating the next phase of Paris Olympics. “Game is not over, the games are not done,” he wrote. A loud and clear message that the Olympic flames are far from burned out, even if Marchand isn’t in the pool!

Leon Marchand’s reminder: “The games aren’t done!”

And why wouldn’t it be? Just the way France circled headlines during the Olympics, they are in a sprint to the top with the Paralympics. “The ambition is the Top 8, to get France into the Top 8 Paralympic nations,” declared Marie-Amélie Le Fur, President of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF). No easy task, especially, considering France has yet to hit the top eight since the iconic Sydney 2000 Games, where they won 86 medals.

The para-badminton phenomenon, Lucas Mazur went on to win Frace’s 10th medal in a match that will go down as iconic. He went against world number one and defending champion Suhas with a commanding 21/9, 21/13 win. Mazur also teamed up with Faustine Noël to win a bronze in the mixed doubles. But that’s not all! Over at the para-triathlon, Jules Ribstein made history! He went on to win the first-ever Paralympic title for the French para-triathlon team in the PTS2 classification.

Alexis Hanquinquant, France’s flag bearer, won the Gold in the men’s PTS4. As Paralympians prepare for the greatest races of their life, the world along with Marchand is closely watching.