Michael Phelps. Just saying the name brings a tornado of gold medals and record-breaking swims to mind. Who can forget the 15-year-old Phelps’ sensational debut at the 2000 Sydney Olympics? Or his awe-inspiring performance in the 2008 Beijing Olympics winning eight gold medals? He has been dominating the pool undisputed, for over a decade now. He continued his winning streak in 2012 and won five more golds in 2016.

Phelps has undisputedly remained the most successful athlete across four consecutive Olympics! With 23 Olympic gold medals and 28 total Olympic medals, Phelps has redefined the limits of limitations. His legacy is brimming with world records that span across events including the 200-meter freestyle, 100-meter butterfly, and the 400-meter individual medley. But every aeon has a name that defines that era. And in the world of swimming, a new name is making a splash!

Phelps cheers on the next wave as he passes the baton

To break a world record with as much finesse as Michael Phelps is not an easy feat. However, even Phelps has to tip his hat to the next generation. Enter Leon Marchand. Leon Marchand at Paris Olympics, swam his way into history, changing the record books yet again! Marchand clocking in at 4:02.95, broke Phelps’s previous mark of 4:03.84 set in the 2008 Olympics in the 400-meter individual medley.

Phelps’s reaction to Marchand’s achievement? Pure admiration. It’s like they say, a champion knows one when he sees one. “For me, nobody believed that I was able to do the things that I was trying to do, right? But I did, deep down inside, and same thing for [Marchand],” said Phelps. “A lot of people said my records were never gonna be broken and untouched, but clearly it’s not that. And for me, I love it. I love being able to see a young man have a dream, go out there, put in the work and put together the pieces that give him a chance to do this… He and I have so many similarities.”

Records have been touched and broken. Proving that Marchand is not a flash in the pan but a force to be reckoned with! While the legendary “Flying Fish’s,” set records seemed untouchable with his 28 Olympic medals and eight world record, the records are up for a reset with Marchand! The 22-year-old French swimmer is making waves of his own, leaving the world wanting for more.

An ode to Phelps-Marchand bond that shattered records

From their first meet-cute to shattering records, Michael Phelps and Léon Marchand’s relationship is as thrilling as a sports saga. The foundation for this camaraderie was laid down in Fukuoka, World Championships. Marchand was in the zone for the big lap. Enter the legendary Phelps, who gives Marchand the push saying, “Go get it tonight.” What is that statement if not as the swimming equivalent of passing the Olympic torch?

As time flew to Marchand’s skills grew to get better and better. Fast-forward to the Paris Olympics where he broke Phelps’s last remaining world record in the 400-meter individual medley. Phelps even said, “That was my last-standing individual World Record, but we’re keeping it in the family with Bob and Léon.” It’s a star-studded swimming reunion, with the baton being passed. And no doubt, Marchand is carrying it forward in style!