“I try to hide a little”: celebrated in Toulouse, Léon Marchand talks about his new daily life

Léon Marchand in the middle of a delirious crowd in Toulouse this Wednesday. MAXPPP – REMY GABALDA

Celebrated this Wednesday, September 18 on the Place du Capitole with the other Olympic medalists from Toulouse, star swimmer Léon Marchand now leaves his home with "a cap and goggles" to face his "rather radical change in status".

How did you experience this moment of communion with the Toulouse public ?

It's special. I've celebrated in the United States, in Paris, a bit everywhere, but not in Toulouse, my city of heart. Toulouse has supported us in sport for a long time. I think that the day I won, the Capitol was lit up in blue-white-red, that says a lot (…) I enjoy a lot of things as soon as I return to Toulouse, in my comfort zone. My family is here, I have my house, my dog, my little brother… I go back to the United States every time with a lot of memories.

Was this the last episode of the Games ?

There is a bit of nostalgia, because we lived some pretty incredible moments. The emotions were crazy, even on our side as athletes. It's obviously a bit sad to think that this is the last celebration, but I'll take what I can take and it's going to mark me for life. 

"I need to get a bit more organized"

Has France changed this summer ?

Yes, France has changed and I hope it will last. The faces have been very smiling for a month and a half. Sport is something quite special. It conveys an emotion that you can't get anywhere else and the French have realized it (…) We must continue to celebrate athletes, try to put more resources into infrastructure, more sport at school… 

Your status has also changed. How do you experience it ?

I'm going to lose a bit of freedom and spontaneity because I can't go out to restaurants like that anymore. I need to organize myself a bit more, to be with people, I can't do my shopping alone… I put on a cap and glasses, I try to hide a bit. I'm not very recognizable so in general that's enough (smile). Afterwards, when people stop me in the street, it's to say thank you. It's super caring and positive, I really take it to heart. I'm getting used to it pretty quickly in the end, even though the first few weeks were tough, because it's a pretty radical change in status. 

How did your return to training go at the beginning of the week? ?

It was tough. I took a month and a half off and it's one of the first times I've done that. The feeling isn't very good in the water, but I can still swim pretty fast. I started again with quite a bit of intensity and I had a lot of muscle aches.”