Léon Marchand sparked again this Friday by breaking the world record in the 200m short course medley in Singapore. With an ease that challenges you.
With his six weeks of rest following the Paris Olympics this summerLéon Marchand thought he had lost all or almost all of his swimming. The four-time Olympic champion, however, is causing a sensation in Asia these days as part of the World Cup.
With this Friday a masterful coup: Ryan Lochte's short course 200m medley world record broken by 75 hundredths to now stand at 1'48″88.
As an informed spectator, Denis Auguin, the director of the French teams, does not miss a bit of the phenomenon's performances, explaining the foundations for L'Equipe today: “ He has such confidence in himself. It plays into relaxation. The others go to be second, that helps. He has such a hold on the race. Even if it's not his style to puff out his chest, he arrives behind the block with confidence. He doesn't say he pays attention to him or to him. Pay attention to no one, he only pays attention to himself. When swimmers are dominant like that, opponents don't even think they can win, they don't attack you. It's like Nadal at Roland Garros, even if he arrived limping, he still won… »
“He’s not an extravagant guy but…”
However, there is no question of overusing or trivializing performances and records. “ As much as he is currently skimming his disciplines, he knows what it represents. He measures what it requires, there is a question of lucidity. It's a big fight that we are waging: the lucidity of the athlete in relation to his level », underlines Denis Auguin. An observer like no other who nevertheless admits to being impressed by the boy.
« I have the impression that it is very sealed from the environment. This is a World Cup but at the Games, he achieved something exceptional. The environment has no influence on him, he is an incredible and fundamental asset in high performance and he has enormous self-confidence. However, he's not an extravagant and demonstrative guy when it comes to this, but he obviously has extremely self-confidence. When the swimmer feels that he has room for improvement, it gives him wings. Everyone has their challenge. It shows incredible ambition and it’s very positive. »
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