French Swimmers Reach Finals at World Championships

French swimmers Léon Marchand and Maxime Grousset have made it to the finals of the World Championships in swimming. Marchand, who has already won two titles in the competition, is aiming for a third victory in the 200m butterfly event. He set the fastest time in the semi-finals with a time of 1’56’’34.

Grousset, the vice-world champion in 2022, will be competing in the 100m freestyle final and has a chance to secure a podium finish. Another event to watch is the women's 50m backstroke, where Analia Pigrée, who won bronze last year, will be looking to make her mark.

The schedule for Thursday, July 27, includes the final of the women's 200m butterfly, the semi-finals of the women's 100m freestyle, the final of the men's 100m freestyle with Grousset, the final of the women's 50m backstroke with Pigrée, and more.

Behind the Scenes of Léon Marchand's Return to France

Léon Marchand, the current world champion in swimming, has been followed by the TV show "Aux Jeux, citoyens!" during his return to France this summer. Although the Paris 2024 Olympics are still a year away, Marchand has already become a star in the country. At just 21 years old, he recently defended his world title in the 400m individual medley, breaking Michael Phelps' world record in the process.

During his two-month training period in his hometown of Toulouse, Marchand enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He believes that being close to his loved ones helps him recharge and prepare for future competitions. His coach, Nicolas Castel, also acknowledges the importance of this time in France, as it allows Marchand to experience the anticipation and excitement leading up to the Olympics.

Marchand's Decision to Skip the 200m Breaststroke

Léon Marchand had a dilemma regarding his participation in the 200m breaststroke event at the World Championships. Despite setting the best time in the distance during the French Championships, Marchand decided to skip the semi-finals of the 200m breaststroke due to the close timing with the final of the 200m individual medley. He believed that having only ten minutes between the two races would not be reasonable and opted to focus on the 200m individual medley instead.

In an interview with RMC Sport, Marchand explained his decision, stating that he needed rest and sleep after a tiring schedule. He also mentioned that his coaches, Nico Castel and Bob Bowman, supported his choice. While some fans may be disappointed, Marchand remains determined to perform well in the 200m individual medley.

Words of the day

Marchand : nageur (swimmer)

Grousset : champion (champion)