This summer, Léon Marchand’s reign over world swimming began with fanfare. The native of Toulouse splashed the world with all his class. France had been looking for a successor to Laure Manaudou for almost 20 years. She had indeed won the Olympic title in 2004 in Athens under the leadership of her famous coach at the time Philippe Lucas.
The native of Melun and his extraordinary personality have left their mark on French swimming for years. His unique outspokenness and banter made him the headliner of this sport for a long time. Despite breaking up with the swimmer shortly after, he continued to train and achieve results on the international stage.
Philippe Lucas has trained great champions
After Laure Manaudou Philippe Lucas rode on his reputation and his success to continue to train very great swimmers. No change, however, in its management. He’s the boss and the demands are at their peak. He rubbed shoulders with the immense Italian champion Federica Pellegrini for several years.
A cohabitation that went off without a hitch, even during separation. He also told the anecdote of the day when the transalpine champion decided to stop their collaboration. An attitude that the coach greatly appreciated who took the opportunity to throw a small stone in the garden of French swimmers and their lack of class.
The separation between Philippe Lucas and Federica Pellegrini
Laure Manaudou’s ex-trainer really appreciated the approach of the one he had trained in recent months. Unlike many people who prefer to flee conflict when the news is bad, Federica Pellegrini went to meet Philippe Lucas.
“’Here is Philippe, I thank you for everything, but I would like to see something else now, to do things differently’. You see the class, the girl leaves Verona, goes through Barcelona, and drives 3 hours to tell me that. The French swimmers are leavingthey don’t even say where they’re going, not even thank you. It’s the difference between people who have class and those who don’t. And people who have class are those who succeed. And then, as I often say, there are the baltringues.”
A very severe vision of French swimming
Philippe Lucas’ methods are very strict. With him, no head should protrude. We are here to work and he is the only master on board. Anyone who does not follow the instructions will be notified with a vehemence very typical of the coach. Certain images circulating on social networks leave little doubt as to the coach’s intransigence. Enough to scare some swimmers who prefer to stay in their comfort.
“Of course they are afraid (of my methods). Besides, we see the results of French swimming, eh. What’s happening is already what we’re telling them, cwhat some coaches say about me. Afterwards, the federation must absolutely direct the swimmers. A swimmer who is happy in his club, with a coach who has qualities, you have to leave him and not detach him. But swimmers who have problems training need to be guided. And we never do it.”
