Leon Marchand, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, is fast becoming a global swimming sensation. His impressive performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he took gold in the 200m butterfly, 200m breaststroke, and both the 200m and 400m individual medleys, earned him a spot among swimming’s legends—and the title of the “next Michael Phelps.” Not since Michael Phelps in 2008 has a male swimmer achieved such a feat, making Marchand one of only four swimmers in Olympic history to win four individual golds in a single Games.

Yet, fame has its downsides. Marchand recently opened up about his frustrations with constant attention and being hounded by fans, admitting he no longer feels truly comfortable in France. He has found peace in places where he can go unrecognized.

Marchand embracing the quiet abroad

After his record-breaking victories in the Paris Olympics, Marchand’s life back home in France has transformed. In the streets of Paris, he’s often recognized, which made him adopt a cap and glasses as a disguise to try to hide from fans eager for photos and autographs. But as he shared, the thrill of his accomplishments at home has given way to the need for peace abroad.

Swimming in countries like China and South Korea has allowed Marchand to experience a quieter life without the constant pressure of fan attention and paparazzi. He relievedly noted, “There was so much pressure around the Olympics that I think I really need to relax in the upcoming season. It does me good to do competitions with less at stake. Whether it’s China or South Korea, I can walk about in peace; I can just be myself; I do more or less what I want; no one recognizes me, so it’s good; it’s not like in France.” 

It is good for him to have some time away from all the spotlight. He feels like he is in recharge mode after his Olympic performance, and this rest is something that is required for his upcoming challenges.

The road ahead for future championships

After his stunning Olympic performance, Leon Marchand is turning his attention to upcoming competitions, focusing on refining his skills. Despite feeling rusty from his post-Olympics break, Marchand claimed victory in the 400m medley at the Incheon World Cup, setting a new French record. 

He plans to return to training with coach Nicolas Castel in Toulouse, gearing up for December’s 25m World Championships in Budapest. Marchand hinted at competing in the 200m freestyle and his main medley events.

“I’ve been focusing on the I.M., fly, back, and breast, not really freestyle. Just got to repeat some freestyle; improve my technique too to be able to hold more water,” he said to Olympics.com, acknowledging his desire to improve his technique in this area. With eyes on future championships, Marchand continues to build on his Olympic legacy, aiming for even stronger performances across multiple events.