Leon Marchand and his coach, Bob Bowman, celebrating their team’s victory at the NCAA finals in Indianapolis on March 30, 2024. Even Bob Bowman, initially hesitant, took a small leap, fully clothed. The artistic score may not have been perfect, but the moment called for a collective dive into the pool designated for real divers, with “We Are the Champions” playing in the background. On Saturday night, March 30, during the American college finals, Leon Marchand and his teammates from Arizona State University turned the University of Indiana pool into a massive playground to celebrate their first NCAA title.
Their coach paid tribute to the hero of the week. “It is he who made this victory possible,” said Bowman, pointing to his 21-year-old powerhouse. When he arrived on the Tempe campus in Arizona in August 2021, he set an example of excellence for everyone, pulling everyone up with him. Marchand, a prophet in his adopted country, ended his week at the Indianapolis Natatorium like he started it: by winning his third individual title on the 200-yard breaststroke with a record time (1 minute 46 seconds 35).
“These races are important to me, with a lot at stake, the NCAA. I don’t have many high-stakes competitions this year, except for the Olympics and NCAA, so it’s good preparation,” he said with his characteristic detachment on Wednesday. Now it’s time for the long-course season.
As usual, the now eight-time university champion remains calm. “I find him very relaxed, he is really impressive in that regard, it seems like nothing affects him,” noted Julien Issoulié, the national technical director of the French Swimming Federation (FFN), who came to Indianapolis this week to meet with him.
With just under four months to go before the start of the Olympic Games (July 26 to August 11), all signs are green. In Indianapolis, the Arizona State University student competed in ten races in four days. A perfect test run before the aquatic marathon he could face in Paris – like all his compatriots, he must qualify at the French Championships in Chartres in mid-June.
At this point, there are only two certainties: the world record holder in the 400m individual medley must lead the French team with his favorite race on July 28 and compete in the 200m individual medley (final on August 2). As for the rest, nothing is certain yet. Will he prioritize the 200m breaststroke (he was close to breaking the world record at the French Championships last year) over the 200m butterfly (of which he is the current world champion)? Or will he swim both?
