‘Tensed’ Michael Phelps’ reaction to Leon Marchand’s historic 200m butterfly final outing at Paris Olympics goes viral

Leon Marchand is the first French swimmer to win multiple gold medals at the same Olympics.

‘Tensed’ Michael Phelps’ reaction to Leon Marchand’s historic 200m butterfly final outing at Paris Olympics goes viral

Michael Phelps' reaction to Leon Marchand's historic 200m butterfly final goes viral (image via Imago/screengrab)

Leon Marchand has already become the poster child of this Paris Olympics 2024. By already winning the 400m individual medley, the 22-year-old announced himself on the world stage as one of swimming’s brightest stars. No wonder swimming legend Michael Phelps ended up in the NBC commentary booth to watch the Frenchman make history in the 200m butterfly finals.

Marchand started the 200m butterfly finals a little aft of defending champion Kristof Milak. He continued that way in the first three 50m sets, staying within touching distance of the world record holder. Then on the final turnaround, Michael Phelps observed how Marchand swam before coming up to the surface. The 23-gold medal winning legend let out a,

Here we go!
Michael Phelps exclaimed

He knew Marchand had done enough to reduce the deficit. Then on, his tensions were evident as the Frenchmen turned on the jets and produced a stunning comeback to win by a whisker.

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The Swimming Hall of Famer was visibly ecstatic as he kept punching the air seeing his coach Bob Bowman‘s protege win his second Olympics gold. Leon Marchand finished with a time of 1:51:21 to set a new Olympics record and take over from Milak as the new king of the 200m butterfly.

The Arizona State University junior has now firmly established himself as one of the newest stars in swimming. But it seems he was not yet done with winning and rested for exactly two hours before the next event.

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Leon Marchand wins his second gold of the day within two hours

Marchand waited around the Paris La Defense Arena as the 200m breaststroke final was up in two hours. He again took to the waters and went up against current Olympic record holder and defending champion, Australian Zac Stubblety-Cook. Even if it was his second final of the day, it did not deter the young Frenchman.

Leon Marchand won the 200m breaststroke gold 2 hours later
Leon Marchand won the 200m breaststroke gold 2 hours later (image via Imago)

He swam to win every 50m set and ended up winning the gold. Setting a time of 2:05:85, he set his second Olympic record of the day. Such a stunning pace of events have not been seen since Michael Phelps enthralled swimming fans. Now Leon Marchand is the first ever French swimmer to win multiple gold medals at the same Olympics.

However, Marchand can cement himself as one of the greats with his final event. He will compete in the 200m Individual medley semifinals tonight. Expect him to possibly leave the Paris Olympics 2024 with four gold medals in his hand.

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