Léon Marchand masters underwater swimming

Léon Marchand is a French swimmer who distinguishes himself with extremely long underwater phases bordering on the regulatory limit of 15 meters. This exceptional technical skill offers him significant energy savings, visible during his victory at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games where he needed only 15 breaststroke movements over the last 35 meters against 18 for his runner-up Duncan Scott. He thus partially compensates for his lower level in freestyle, a discipline he aims to improve in view of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.