Snubbed By Bob Bowman, Michael Phelps’ Golden Words To Leon Marchand Rewrote Olympic History

The world will get tired of Leon Marchand’s dominance, you say? The crowd at the Paris La Défense Arena doesn’t think so. France’s Golden Boy Leon Marchand had already conquered the pool three times during his maiden Olympic berth. But he was back again tonight for one last event: the 200m IM. Stepping onto his home turf, the 22-year-old had his sights set on clinching 4 Olympic golds at the Summer Games. And over the course of six days, the Frenchman has left an indelible mark on the sport he loves.

Michael Phelps has been keeping an eye on the wunderkind throughout and has just one piece of advice for him. All he wanted the swimmer to do was let go and have some fun. When the press caught up with him post-race, he reiterated how he had done just what he was told. “Kind of crazy, because I was more relaxed than usual.” The French Michael Phelps is now the 4th swimmer to claim 4 individual gold medals at the Olympics.

Leon Marchand has found his way to the top of every podium at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He had already claimed the 200m butterfly, 200m breaststroke, and 400 IM at the Paris La Défense Arena. But he was now looking to complete his tally with yet another gold. The chants of “Allez Léon” refused to die down. However, they got even louder when 22-year-old’s impressive time of 1:54:06 seconds in the 200m IM set a new Olympic record. His 4th at the French capital!

The Flying Fish watched as he swam his way to victory. However, when the wunderkind had claimed his first victory, NBC asked Phelps if he had any advice for him. The swimming legend promptly stated, “I think for him yes, especially after getting that first gold medal off his back, in your home country, you can kinda let go a little bit, just have fun.” Marchand took his advice to heart. “I was more relaxed than usual because I have won 3 gold medals before,” the Frenchman said with a shy smile. “So I was very relaxed and I was able to have fun through0ut the entire race.” His nickname truly seems fitting in retrospect, doesn’t it?

While this is impressive as is, he also happened to face three reigning Olympic champions in 3 out of 4 of his races. But undeterred, he bested every single one of them in style. Achieving this incredible feat in front of his home crowd must feel surreal. However, he is now a part of an exclusive club consisting swimming great Michael Phelps, Kristin Otto, and Mark Spitz. He is also the 13th swimmer who has clinched 4 Olympic golds at the same Games.

What does his coach, Bob Bowman have to say about feats?

Bob Bowman played a huge part in nurturing the raw talent of a younger Michael Phelps. Now that the swimming legend has bid adieu to the Olympic pool for good, his secret weapon then decided to take the Frenchman under his wing. How did the two find each other? Funnily enough, the 22-year-old decided to shoot his shot by writing a cold email to the coach. The swimmer wasn’t expecting a reply. But Bowman promptly sent him an email back, and the rest is history.

Now the assistant coach to the French swimming team, Bowman watched his prized pupil with tears in his eyes as he claimed his first Olympic gold at the Paris La Défense Arena. It didn’t surprise him, seeing how Marchand had previously shattered Phelp’s long-standing 400 IM record back in 2023. However, he couldn’t have been prouder watching him set a new Olympic record in front of his home crowd. When asked if he had any remarks based on his performance, all Bowman had to say was, “He’s the best in this event in history.” While he still has a long way to go before he catches up to the swimming great’s medal count, it’s safe to say that this won’t be the last time we hear Leon Marchand’s name echo throughout the stadium.