Global swimming star Léon Marchand is a World Champion who made his Olympic debut for France at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The Frenchman first put the world on notice in 2019, and is the French record holder in the 200 meter butterfly, the long course 200 meter individual medley, and 200 meter breaststroke and holds the long course 400 meter individual medley European record.

Born in Toulouse, France, Marchand started swimming in his hometown when he was 7, but it wasn’t until high school that his love for swimming really ignited. He first rose to international prominence at the World Junior Championships in 2019, earning a bronze medal in the 400 meter individual medley and smashing the French record of 4:16:37 in the process.

His next breakout performance came at the French Olympic trials where he broke the record for the 400 individual medley once again, and he knew his next move was to swim in the United States. Marchand committed to an ASU swim and dive program, and his work ethic paid off at the NCAA Championships when he set an NCAA record as he bagged the 200 meter breaststroke gold medal. Only just out of his teenage years, Marchand impressed at the 2022 World Aquatics Championships after winning the 400 meter individual medley, the 200 meter individual medley and along with the silver in the 200 meter butterfly.