While Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history, there’s little doubt that coach Bob Bowman was the architect of his success.

“The magic touch is the work,” said Hungarian swimmer and Paris 2024 backstroke gold medalist Hubert Kos about his coach. Years after coaching Phelps to 23 Olympic golds, the world once again witnessed Bowman’s touch with a French superstar.

The 22-year-old traveled from his native France to America just to train under Bob Bowman. “I would like to join the University of Arizona State in summer 2021 for swim and compete in NCAA with your amazing team,” the then-18-year-old wrote in 2021. Now, after spending nearly four years under Bowman and winning five Olympic medals, the French swimming icon reflects on success.

How Bob Bowman and the NCAA created the next Michael Phelps

Eight years after Michael Phelps‘ last hurrah in Rio 2016, no one has been able to capture the attention of the swimming world quite like Leon Marchand. After all, Marchand is the only one to have won four golds while displaying incredible dominance since Phelps. So even as the Frenchman readies to embark on the next chapter under Australian coach Dean Boxall, Marchand can’t help but shower praise on Bowman.

“I’ve done three years of NCAA in the US, and I was really focusing on my underwater, my technique, my turns. I think that’s what really got me better in the sport,” Léon Marchand said about training under Michael Phelps’ former coach. “I’m so grateful for the US experience in general,” Marchand said in an interview with World Athletics.

Leon Marchand jokingly addressed the legendary Bow Bowman as a

“pretty good,” coach who didn’t just mold him into a champion but instilled a passion for the sport. Michael Phelps put it best. “I can’t say it enough – he’s in great hands with Bob. I mean, Bob is a psycho when it comes to details. (laughs) I mean psycho in the best, most endearing, heartfelt, loving way,” Phelps said after Marchand broke his 400m IM record under Bowman.

Besides coach Bowman, the former NCAA gold medalist also praised America’s competitive college swimming landscape. “That’s something we don’t have in France. I was able to study and swim at the same time,” the Olympian said about the NCAA. So why did the Olympic gold medalist choose to travel to Australia?

Why Leon Marchand chose one of USA’s biggest rival nations

Whether it’s Michael Phelps or Katie Ledecky, Team USA has long dominated swimming in the Olympics. However, in recent years, if there is one nation that’s challenged the USA’s dominance in the pool consistently, then it’s Australia. And this is the reason why the French phenom has opted to train under another legendary coach, Dean Boxall.

Boxall, who is the head coach at the St. Peters Western Club in Brisbane, sent 10 swimmers to the Olympics this year. Among them was one of Australia’s brightest stars, Ariarne Titmus, who won four medals in Paris. So it’s no surprise why Marchand chose the Brisbane-based coach. “So, official announcement, I have planned to go to Australia in January for two, three months,” wrote Marchand.

“I’m going to try and see a different culture, to train with a different coach,” added the Olympic gold medalist. This move may have also been motivated by Michael Phelps’ former coach departing ASU to coach the Texas Longhorns. Thankfully, for everyone involved, Marchand’s training under Boxall won’t be a permanent arrangement.

Since being separated from the Bowman, the five-time world champion is already training under his old coach, Nicolas Castel. Now, he wants to gather some more experience before moving to Texas and resume training with the man who made him an Olympic champion. How will Marchand’s Australian excursion help the swimmer? Only time will tell.