Coach Bob Bowman praised Leon Marchand for his impeccable performance at the Paris Olympics, where the French swimmer dominated by winning gold in all four of his events. The 22-year-old showcased his prowess by clinching gold in the 400m IM, the 200m butterfly, and the 200m breaststroke on a single night, followed by another gold in the 200m IM.
Bowman highlighted Marchand's exceptional handling of the pressure, both from performing at home and the high expectations placed on him. "It's an extraordinary achievement," Bowman said. "He exceeded every expectation in this setting with such preparation. He managed himself perfectly between races. It was a total success—100% successful. I’m incredibly proud; achieving such perfection is remarkable."
Bowman, who previously coached Olympic legend Michael Phelps, commended Leon Marchand for his exceptional self-management, highlighting his meticulous approach to warm-ups, practice schedules, recovery, and diet.
He also noted that competing on home soil was a significant advantage, as the enthusiastic crowd at La Defense Arena witnessed Marchand shatter Phelps's 200m IM Olympic record from 2008. Bowman drew a comparison to Ian Thorpe's memorable performance at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, describing it as a similar electrifying atmosphere.
Looking ahead, Bowman is optimistic about Marchand's future potential. He believes the swimmer could excel in additional events, such as the 100m butterfly, as he grows older and stronger. "He has the potential to break records in other events," Bowman said. "Not breaking that one gives us a new goal for the upcoming year—something to work towards."
For now, Marchand will take a well-deserved break to enjoy his achievements and adjust to his newfound fame. Bowman hopes the young athlete remains grounded and plans to ease him back into training after a few weeks. "Leon will be entering a new phase of his life," Bowman observed. "He needs time to recharge mentally and physically before we start preparing for the future."