Léon Marchand heads to Australia for “two to three months”, with a new coach

“Two to three months.” This is the time that French swimmer Léon Marchand plans to spend in Australia, from January 2025, to train. And the quadruple Olympic gold medalist, this summer in Paris, will do it with a new coach, he announced on Thursday, December 19.

“I’m going to try to see another culture, train with a new coach and then I’ll join Bob Bowman in Austin [au Texas] in the year »the five-time Olympic medalist explained to the press, during a stay in Saint-Denis de La Réunion to participate in the Indian Ocean swimming meeting.

The 22-year-old swimmer, trained by Bob Bowman for two and a half years in the United States, was initially due to settle in Austin after the end-of-year holidays. This project has been postponed for a few months.

“Future challenges”

The person concerned explained that he wanted to “see something else, [de] surfer, [de] enjoy Australia » and said he made this decision after speaking with Bob Bowman. A 200m specialist in the medley, breaststroke and butterfly events, the world champion also plans to compete in freestyle competitions and other distances in order to avoid getting “weary”.

If, at the end of November, Léon Marchand had given up on the short course world championships in Budapest (from Tuesday December 10 to Sunday December 15) saying he ” exhausted ” and claiming to want “step back” in order to prepare “future challenges”he will be the headliner of the 35^e Indian Ocean swim meet, which begins Friday December 20 and continues until Sunday December 22.

The swimmer said he wanted « performer »because there remains “competitor”even if the sporting issue is not decisive. He will be competing in the 200m, 100m and 50m breaststroke.