Epic Pool Night: Ledecky and Marchand Break Records

France’s Leon Marchand made history with a golden double in front of a wild home crowd, while American Katie Ledecky won a record eighth Olympic gold medal in an epic night of swimming in Paris.

In a spectacular, ear-splitting atmosphere, Marchand achieved the rare feat of winning two golds in a single swimming session.

The 22-year-old pushed past reigning champion and world record holder Christoph Melek of Hungary to win the 200m butterfly title for the first time before returning to the pool less than two hours later to win the 200m breaststroke and his third. Got a gold medal. of games

No one had completed the men’s 200m butterfly breaststroke double before and Marchand won both in Olympic record times.

Becoming the first swimmer since 1976 to win two individual gold medals in the same night at the Olympics, the poster boy of the Games established himself as the sport’s global superstar.

“When you talk about Michael Phelps, when you talk about Ian Thorpe, now you have to talk about Leon Marchand because I think he’s one of the best things we’ve ever done,” the Briton said. said Olympic champion Adrian Morehouse.

Earlier, 27-year-old Ledecky, who achieved such celebrity status long ago, dominated her rivals – and equal compatriot Jenny – to retain her 1500m freestyle title in Olympic record time. Thompson as the most accomplished female swimmer in Games history.

It was Ledecky’s 12th medal overall, tying her for the record with Thompson, who won eight gold, three silver and one bronze between 1992 and 2004.

And, to cap off a brilliant swimming session, China’s Pan Zhanle won the 100m freestyle in a world record 46.40 seconds, refusing to forget the blue ribbon event of the Games.

‘Prince of the Pool’ – who is Leon Marchand & how did he do it?

The 15,000-capacity indoor arena has already been hailed as the tallest and best swimming venue in recent memory. Tickets to see Marchand from Toulouse have been the city’s most popular property.

This, though, was something else – Marchand’s every stroke in the breaststroke leg was met with loud roars of “Allies” from a crowd that had come with their hero’s flags, horns and masks.

His maiden victory, in a time of one minute 51.71 seconds, was heart-rending. He trailed by nearly a body length on the final turn but Melek, considered the greatest butterfly racer in history, kept the crowd on their feet in the final stroke.

Marchand held the first medal ceremony ahead of his next final but, instead of joining Canada’s Malek and bronze medalist Ilya Kharon on the lap of honour, he quickly disappeared to recuperate.

He then completed a pure procession, winning in 2:05.85 to beat Australia’s defending champion Zac Stubblety-Cook by almost a second, and was soon praised on social media.

French President Emmanuel Macron called him a dream businessman and a “legend”, while World Cup-winning footballer Antoine Griezmann described Marchand as “the little prince of Poland”.

Marchand has been swimming’s rising star ever since he sent a letter to American great Phelps’ former coach, Bob Bowman, asking to be taken under his wing – a request the highly respected American accepted. was

Last year Marchand, dubbed the ‘new monster’ in Japan, broke Phelps’ last remaining world record in the 400m medley, confirming his status as an elite all-rounder.

He also won the 400m medley title here on Sunday, but in Wednesday’s wins, which were rescheduled to allow him to win more honours, he defeated the stroke specialists.

“Not even Michael Phelps, the double Olympic champion in one session, attempted it.”
“The audacity. I cannot believe he even tried it, never mind won them both.”

The night ended with the final rendition of the French national anthem, but it felt like the party would continue into the night.

Marchand will have a day off on Thursday before returning to his fourth event on Friday – the 200m medley, where he will take on Great Britain’s Tom Dean and Duncan Scott.

Legendary Ledecky makes it eight

Ledecky, who has revolutionized distance swimming, was seven seconds faster in Tokyo, fueling the belief that the American was somehow, getting even better.

When he won in Paris with a time of 15 minutes 30.02 seconds, no other swimmer appeared in the TV pictures.

Ledecky won her first gold at London 2012 at the age of 15 and went on to win four more in Rio de Janeiro, before winning two more in Tokyo. Only Phelps has won more golds in swimming.

The 27-year-old will also compete on Friday in the 800m freestyle, an event in which she is a three-time Olympic champion and world record holder.

Another victory would mean Ledecky equals gymnast Larisa Latina’s record – the most successful female Olympian in any sport. He won nine gold medals for the Soviet Union in the 1950s and 1960s.