It was the attraction of the morning on the 2nd day of the French Championships in Chartres: Léon Marchand (22 years old) entered the running in his favorite race of the 400m medley, of which he is double world champion (2022 and 2023 ) and world record holder since he beat Michael Phelps’ reference last summer (4’2”50). He obviously won in a correct time of 4’14”88. “It’s my first 400m medley in a while, being a little sharpreacts the Toulouse native, who this season posts a time of 4’11”21, achieved in April in San Antonio (Texas). It wasn’t easy, especially since I’m a bit alone. I had to get moving to make a good time first thing in the morning. I think I did a good first 200, the rest isn’t crazy. »
Indeed, Nicolas Castel’s protégé in Chartres, Bob Bowman supervising the Americans at the Trials in Indianapolis, was in 1’58”80 at the halfway mark. “I managed the second 200continues Léon Marchand. On the first, I tried to leave quite quickly, I think I had a good back. I’m going to look at the split times to see what I can improve this evening (Monday, final). (I’ve had) very good sensations up to 250, after which the legs start to hurt a little. But it’s okay, really! I’m just trying to discover the benchmarks I had last year. »
“At the Games, I will have to be under 4’10” in the morning, it’s yet another level”
Since he arrived in Beauce, the prodigy has continued to repeat that this is a step. “I wanted to do less than 4’15” first thing in the morning. It’s good it’s done. At the Games, I will have to be under 4’10” in the morning, it’s yet another leveladmits Léon Marchand, before commenting on the results of the American selections, which took place last night. I’ll try (finally) to approach Foster’s time (1st in 4’7”64). Chase (Kalisz, the Olympic champion and who trains with the Frenchman) swam really well too (4’9”39). First of all, being under 4’10” would be cool. Getting close to my best time would be cool but hey, with what I did this morning (Monday), it’s going to be complicated. When you have someone next to you, it’s easier to hold on until the end. It’ll be a race against myself tonight (Monday). »
The heats also proved that the 100m backstroke would offer some great fights in the evening. Among the men, Yohann Ndoye Brouard (53”25) and Mewen Tomac (53”54) took advantage of their warm-up to already drop below the Olympic minimums (53”74). Among the young women, where the density is crazy, Mary-Ambre Moluh (1’0”75) and Analia Pigrée (1’0”90) were the fastest, but Emma Terebo (1’1”07 ) and Pauline Mahieu (1’1”33) are not far away. In the final, you will have to accelerate, the minimum times being set at 59”99, and finish among the first two.
