Léon Marchand takes a liking to it. After breaking Michael Phelps’ record on the American Pro Series circuit in the 200m medley, on the occasion of his return to the long pool ten days ago, the French swimmer sees himself as the ultimate gravedigger of the idol. In interview given to The Teamhe evokes the American’s ultimate record, in the 400m medley.
“In Chicago, I swam in 4’7”, and I can be much faster, reveals the young man. At Worlds, it will be the first day and I will be super fresh. Now that record is in the back of my mind. It would be awesome to do that! To think that no one has swum faster on the planet. This is Michael’s (Phelps) oldest record, the only one he has left. The poor… ” Marchand has an emotional tie with this record: he viewed “a billion times” the performance never equaled by Phelps, in 2008.
At the Worlds, the same program as in 2022
The tricolor swimmer also briefly mentioned his program for the Fukuoka Worlds, which will not change compared to last year. “There will not be the 200m breaststroke, the semi-final of which is just before the final of the 200m medley. Me, I’d love to do it, but Bob (Bowman, his trainer) doesn’t want to. I will do it at the French Championships and keep it for the Paris Games. »