Every time Léon Marchand steps into the pool, you can’t help but marvel over how easy he makes it seem. The swimmer’s popularity has been on the rise since the 2024 Paris Olympics. After dominating the pool, the 22-year-old shifted his focus to the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup. The first leg took place in Shanghai, and after 3 action-packed days, it will now head to Incheon from October 24 to 26. 

Even though his long-time coach, Bob Bowman, was not by his side, the Marchand Mania was as strong as ever in the Asian waters. The Olympian dominated 4 of his events back in the French capital with the veteran coach, but he pulled off something similar with Nicolas Castel at the World Cup. After clinching another win in the 400m individual medley final, the swimmer sits on top of the table with 58.3 points. 

During a post-race interview, a reporter asked Léon Marchand his thoughts on ending the first leg on the top. “It’s awesome. I’m very happy with it,” he exclaimed. While it is exciting, there are a few drawbacks to being one of the best in the game. The Olympian continued, “I mean, this afternoon was a little hard for me because I was very tired from this whole week of jet lag, travel and all that stuff.” Even though he returned to the pool after a short hiatus, we understand that all those components could take a toll on his body.

However, through it all, the 22-year-old seemed content with his performance. “But I’m really happy to be the first one on that first step, so let’s keep going,” he confessed. The swimmer was still riding the waves of his Parisian stint, and we don’t blame him. Could you imagine how euphoric it must have been to clinch four Olympic medals on your home turf? But after the games ended, he was due a much-awaited vacation.

It’s safe to say that Léon Marchand used it to the best of his advantage. “I tried to enjoy it. I also took some time alone where I was able to think about what I had done,” he confessed. As exciting as it was, the Olympian admitted that a lot of work went into it, and that’s what’s still on his mind. While the vacation was a welcome change, he couldn’t wait to return to the pool. “And we’re going to have to get back to work,” the 22-year-old exclaimed. So, how did he fare at the World Cup? 

Léon Marchand’s swim to the top in Shanghai

It’s always better to take it one step at a time, and that’s just what the swimmer did on day 1 of the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup. The 22-year-old contested in just one event: men’s 100m M. While all eyes were on the Olympic champion, Noe Ponti’s 10.16 split in the butterfly leg blew people away. However, things changed when the prodigy snagged a lead in the breaststroke, going head to head in the final leg, their sights set on the prize.

With a difference of just .01 seconds, Léon Marchand bagged a gold medal with 50.65 seconds on the clock. Even though Ponti had to settle for a second-place finish, his time of 50.66 seconds broke a Swiss record. Closing day 1 with a triumphant win, it was time for the men’s 200m M finals on day 2. Did the Olympian bring the same energy to the pool? The answer to that was a resounding yes!

The men’s 100m M podium was back in the pool for yet another final, and the stakes were higher than ever. But France’s Golden Boy was unstoppable. With a blistering 1:50.30, the swimmer had snagged a shiny gold medal for himself. Only this time, he took it a step further. His blistering time set a new French, European, and World Cup record. In fact, he shaved off .07 seconds from the previous WC record of 1:50.37 set by Shaine Casas in 2022. 

This brings us to the last day in Shanghai. The prodigy contested the men’s 400m M finals next. Léon Marchand already holds the world record in the event, but could he better it? Even though his blistering 4:00.03 didn’t set a new world record, he did shatter another French record of 4:06.85 set by Jérémy Stravius in 2012. This was also his new personal best in the event. With his tally being 3-3, many thought he would repeat another unbeatable streak in his last event of the day. But things took a drastic turn. 

The 22-year-old’s final race on Sunday was the men’s 200m breaststroke, and he was touted as the favorite after an incredible run throughout the first leg. However, Yong Joshua clinched an upset win by touching the wall in 2:01:67. As for the 4x Olympic gold medalist? He had to settle for a fourth-place finish with 2:02.99 on the clock. But after all of that, the swimmer still emerged victorious with a dominant lead on the table. And by the looks of it, he intends on keeping it.