Léon Marchand, quadruple Olympic champion this summer, achieved the best time in the 100m medley heats during the Shanghai stage of the short course World Cup on Friday, his first race since his Parisian exploits.
The 22-year-old Frenchman, one of the big stars of these Olympics, who wore for the occasion a cap from American swimmer Caeleb Dressel, achieved a time of 51 sec and 65/100th, qualifying for the final ahead of the Swiss Noe Ponti (52 sec 00) and Chinese Wang Shun (52.15). In the final, he will also face another Chinese, Pan Zhanle, double gold medalist in Paris, notably in the 100m freestyle with a world record to boot.
The Worlds in focus
Two and a half months after his dream Games, the Toulouse native is taking part in this Shanghai stage of the Short Course World Cup from Friday to Sunday, before heading to Incheon (South Korea, October 24-26) and of Singapore (October 31-November 3).
His season will then continue in Budapest, for the World Championships in the 25m pool from December 10 to 15, before undoubtedly a stopover in Reunion (Indian Ocean meeting, December 20-22).
This period is described as a “transition” for the Toulouse swimmer, who now benefits from professional status after two seasons playing in the American university championship.
“There is no big issue in terms of results, there is no big pressure. He goes there to compete, do a series of races and get his bearings,” summarized the French DTN, Julien Issoulié.
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