Is Leon Marchand the New Michael Phelps for Paris Olympics 2024?

The world has witnessed several swimmers rise to the challenge on numerous occasions, but no one could manage to replicate the same dominance as the Baltimore Bullet Michael Phelps did. It’s been eight years since the GOAT of swimming hung his swimming goggles, but the world is still in search of another Phelps. Well, it looks like Frenchman Leon Marchand is one of the names that pops up whenever the question “Who is the new Michael Phelps?” is asked.

Marchand has been absolutely dominant in the past year, and to add to the expectations, he broke Phelps’ only standing individual world record last year. Leon Marchand is constantly pushing his limits every time he steps into a pool, and the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024 will be a platform where the world will have its eyes set on the Toulouse-born athlete.

What sets him up as Phelps’ worthy successor

It was the month of July that witnessed history in the making as Leon Marchand shocked the swimming community worldwide when he went past the 21-year-old world record of Michael Phelps in the 400-meter medley and claimed the world title in Japan. He clocked a scintillating time of 4:02.50, which was 1.34 seconds shy of the 23-time Olympic gold medalist’s record that he set in 2008. After the historic victory, Marchand said that it was an amazing race and that the best is yet to come.

Even during the 2022 World Championships final, Marchand came with all the guns blazing and put on a show with his strong breaststroke split. He was ahead of the Phelps record by over a second, but by the end, he could not manage to maintain the lead but still finished with the second-best time ever after clocking 4:04.28. Interestingly, he also shares common ground with the Maryland native and is on the path to becoming the next big thing in the swimming world.

Unveiling the shared waters of Leon Marchand and Michael Phelps

A fascinating connection between the two is that the 21-year-old French swimming prodigy is also coached by the same mentor as Phelps. Legendary coach Bob Bowman is the name behind both swimmers’ development and their path to excellence. Bowman is the head coach of swimming and diving programs at Arizona State University, where Marchand is studying computer science and is a member of the Arizona State Sun Devils team.

There is something in Bowman’s leadership that Leon Marchand consistently secures accolades whenever he competes in professional swimming events. In just a few hours after breaking Phelps’ world record, Marchand shattered another record by setting a European record in the 200-meter individual medley at the same competitions, solidifying his status as Phelps’ worthy successor. Keep an eye on him at the Paris Olympics.

Read More: 21-Year-Old Frenchman On The Path to Become Next Michael Phelps, Shows Off Priceless Possession From American Turf