On the eve of the start of the French swimming championships organized in Chartres, Léon Marchand will be able to test himself for the Olympics, the French Federation having reproduced the same programming of the Games. Above all, it will be able to validate a qualification that is not yet official.
What is your state of mind?
I feel good physically and mentally. I’m coming from the US so I’ve had to adapt to traveling in the last few months. A lot happened, everything happened very quickly. Right away, we have the French championships. I’m eager to.
What is your program for the week?
200m medley, 400m medley, 200m butterfly and 200m breaststroke. Last year at the French championships, I did too many events. I lost too much energy. I will try to manage better this year and be able to return to training more quickly after the French championships. I’m focusing on my races that I’m going to do at the Games.
What are your goals?
I want to qualify for the Games. The next step is to have times that allow me to be well placed in Paris in terms of the lines and to have a better vision in series. But also try to make good times because I am not yet placed globally.
Is your preparation optimal?
There were quite a few adaptations. I know how to do. We didn’t wander around badly. I did San Antonio, Austin, Colorado, Irvine, Toulouse. But it went by very quickly and I trained well. I’ve done lots of different pools but in the end, they’re the same measurements. I trained as best I could every time, morning and evening. Not much has changed. It’s a challenge but that’s what I like.
Do you sense media hype?
There are more cameras than last year. Yes I feel it. I have just returned, but I haven’t yet felt all that when I was in Toulouse, I was in my family cocoon. I’ll see what happens this week.
What do you expect in terms of excitement in Chartres?
It’s rare that the French are so interested in sport, especially swimming. I’m going to do my best in the water. I hope the stands will be full.
After Rennes, what lessons did you learn?
I didn’t have this problem because I was in the USA. I am recognized but less important than here. I didn’t prepare concretely. I have to be more natural with it, that I do what I want to do day to day. It’s just fun!
What does the absence of Bob Bowman change for you?
We decided that I could manage on my own. He will arrive in France very soon to prepare for the Games. I feel good with Nicolas and we have done very well in everything we do.
What memories do you have of Chartres?
I qualified for Tokyo here three years ago. It was a big competition for me here three years ago. It’s strange to come back here, it’s a real difference.
Are the Paris Olympics already on your mind?
I try to take it step by step. Since I have been in France, I have been thinking more and more about the Games, with the pressure, the media and the people who talk to me about them too. This year, I reached a lot of milestones, which allowed me to focus on the next two weeks and not the three months. I try to do the same. I have a pretty intense week with times I want to do in mind. We’ll see what happens next.
Is participating in this competition mentally right?
Obviously, because we’re talking about time here. When we motivate ourselves with time, it doesn’t work very well in our swimming, our rhythm, our relaxation. I prefer to be in a mode of having fun rather than thinking about time. We have time to do, that’s why we’re more stressed.
How are you going to approach Wednesday? (200 butterfly and breaststroke heats and finals)
I thank the French Federation. They did the same program as at the Games, so it’s a test. I have an hour in between. I will try to manage in the morning and do the times in the evening. The 200m butterfly, there are no worries. The 200m breaststroke, we’ll see how I feel physically and mentally. It should be fine but I will be able to evaluate myself. I give myself time to choose whether I do both or just one race. I’ll give myself time but it’s a good guideline. I trained very well in both. Sometimes I feel better in breaststroke, sometimes in butterfly, so I tell myself I can drop one of the two. The following week, it’s the opposite. I will make the decision at the last moment. Even if I trained very well for the French championships, doing it in Paris will be different.
Do you want to show your level?
No. I don’t need this. I don’t play on that. I’m trying to position myself better in the lines. When I’m at water line number 4, I can control the race, it’s easier. I can have this advantage this year, I will try to take it.
Are you going to participate in the opening ceremony?
No, I will not participate. It’s the day before the 400m medley, I need to keep my legs fresh. In Tokyo, I remember arriving at the village. Meeting all the athletes was great. I can’t wait to see this in Paris.
Comments collected by Maria Azé, in Chartres
