| Léon Marchand is a French swimmer known for holding the world record in the 400 metre individual medley in long course. |
| He comes from a family of swimmers with his father, Xavier Marchand, and mother, Céline Bonnet, both having competed in the Olympics. |
| Léon discovered his passion for swimming in the 6th grade after not initially being sporty. |
| Initially quitting swimming due to cold water, he returned at age nine and excelled in the sport. |
| He was first coached by Nicolas Castel in Toulouse, France. |
| In 2019, he won titles and medals at various swimming competitions, including the European Championships and World Junior Swimming Championships. |
| Marchand qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics but didn't win any medals. |
| To enhance his skills, he joined Arizona State University with coach Bob Bowman. |
| Bowman noticed Marchand's dedication and compared it to working with Michael Phelps. |
| Marchand broke multiple records in his collegiate career, winning his first NCAA title in 2022. |
| He continued his success in 2023, including setting new records and winning championships. |
| At the 2023 World Aquatics Championships, he broke Michael Phelps' longstanding individual world record. |
| Marchand embraces his unique physique and aims to inspire others to excel in swimming. |
| Apart from swimming, he has a passion for flying airplanes and dreams of getting a private pilot's license. |
