Paris 2024 Olympics: “phenomenon”, “incredible”, “the greatest”… Marchand mania takes hold of the French

En plus d'être imbattable, Léon marchand est sympa et disponible. Un cocktail qui séduit le public. MAXPPP – LP/Fred Dugit

Léon Marchand's incredible double in the 200 butterfly and 200 breaststroke on Tuesday evening capsized France and propelled the Toulousain, three-time Olympic champion, into another-worldly notoriety. Words from supporters…

"It's Léon Marchand's final ? You have the live feed on your phone ?&quot ; On the terraces of the Marais district, with or without a TV, the temperature suddenly rose a notch. Millions of spontaneous swimming enthusiasts stood up for Léon and the whole of France stopped, this Wednesday evening around 10:30 p.m., to hold its breath. From the stands of Paris La Défense Arena, to those of the Grand Palais where the team sabre final had to be interrupted, passing through all your lounges bathed in impatient humidity, an entire country united in the contemplation, both blissful and incredulous, of this champion who came from elsewhere.

A wave worthy of a World Cup

When the Toulousain touched the goal and stirred gold for the third time, the second of the evening, a clamour rose from the four corners of France with an intensity that has probably only been matched by those of our great football World Cup finals.

Also read: VIDEO. Paris 2024 Olympics: When Léon Marchand's madness takes over Paris and all of France

France is discovering a little more day after day, feat after feat, the makings of a champion cut from an alloy that it had simply never known. On the lips of the French supporters who wander through the capital, superlatives swell a pride mixed with respect.

"The impression that nothing can disturb him"

"Incredible" for Romain, who came from Normandy with his wife and children, amazed by “an extraordinary champion to come back as he did against the Hungarian and chain two finals. There was a lot of expectation on him but he answered present."

Fan clubs flourishing in the stands. MAXPPP – RICHARD ELLIS

Coming from Seine-Saint-Denis to take the pulse of Club France, Armony illustrates the fascination of young people for what she calls the “phenomenon”, particularly affected by “his Olympian calm, this eternally serene air as if nothing could disturb him. It is impressive and it forces admiration because he seems at the same time very humble.”

“Léon président”

A teenager from Vichy, Emile says he is “bluffed by his ability to recover and his fighting spirit in the pool.” His brother Yann sees in him “a raw talent, on which one has the impression that the pressure slides like water. For now, he adds, he is the grand champion of these Games."

A presidential unanimity that brings together all generations, as on this placard of the president of the Dauphins du Toec, his favorite club, proclaiming "Léon President, Toto Prime Minister".

Sébastien is also struck by “This ease that he exudes, full of relaxation, as if he took enormous pleasure in doing what he does. One could almost see a bit of insolence in it, but I think it is linked to his young age. And then he is likeable, without the combativeness sometimes exacerbated in other swimmers."

"Our very own Phelps!"

The level of performance also challenges this retiree from Boulogne, "such a lead in his 400m medley final that it would almost become suspect if we did not know the amount of work he has swallowed in the United States."

Present at the fencing, wearing a tricolor jersey, Nathalie was able to gauge the growing extent of her popularity on Tuesday evening at the Grand Palais. "I didn't understand why we interrupted the sabre final, explained the Aveyronnaise, who came from Espalion. This clamor was the public following Léon's final. It lasted a while…  He's quite simply our Michael Phelps. We knew the Manaudous but he's way above them. It makes us dream and we really need it…"

"It's not over"

So let's dream again without limits, for this fourth individual title, already announced this Friday in the 400m medley then the 4 x 100m medley relay as leader of the pack of an uninhibited French team. As Romain sums it up, "it's not over". No, obviously, the love story between Léon Marchand and the French is on the contrary only just beginning.

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