(Paris, France) In the past week, Léon Marchand has become France’s biggest star, winning four gold medals and completing his second Olympic games with a bronze in the 4X100m medley relay for France, finishing in 3:28.38 in Paris.
Marchand swam the breaststroke portion of the relay in 58.62, keeping the host country in third going into the butterfly section. France managed to be first in the final 100m going into the freestyle, but China and the United States edged the host country, all finishing within a second.
For Marchand, his five medals are the most by a Sun Devil in a single Olympics. He also became the third male swimmer in history to win four individual gold medals at a single Olympics, joining Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz.
Photo – NBC Olympics/X
Last Sunday, Marchand began his week winning the 400m IM, setting an Olympic record to finish in 4:02.95 winning by nearly five seconds. Two days later, he accomplished a historic double gold, winning the 200m butterfly in comeback fashion in 1:51.21 and two hours later winning the 200m breaststroke with a 2:05.85 time. Both times set Olympic records. Lastly, for his final individual event, Marchand dominated the 200m IM, breaking the Olympic record in 1:54.06 for his fourth gold medal and making Olympic history.
Recently turned pro, Marchand adds five Olympic medals to his résume after helping lead the Sun Devils to the team title in men’s swimming. He is a five-time world aquatics champion, 10-time NCAA champion, 17-time Pac-12 champion and a 21-time All-American.
For Sun Devil Swim and Dive, the maroon and gold won seven medals throughout the Olympics. Along with Marchand’s five medals, Sun Devil sophomore Ilya Kharun won two bronze medals coming in the 200m fly and the 100m fly.
The team kicks off their season on October 4 against UNLV set for 6 p.m. AZT at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Zach Wargo
Click on Logo
