PARIS – The Arena La Défense was one of the most coveted tickets for Paris 2024, thanks in large part to one man: Frenchman Leon Marchand.
The local hero lived up to his reputation as the “new Michael Phelps,” taking victories in the 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter breaststroke, 400-meter individual medley and 200-meter individual medley – setting astonishing Olympic records in all four events.
Marchand was propelled to glory by a packed crowd that chanted “Allez” at the 22-year-old’s every shot. “The crowd was on fire, it was amazing to experience that as a Frenchman,” he said. “I shared an incredible moment with everyone.”
Other swimmers watched in awe. “He’s wild,” said Kyle Chalmers from Australia. “A once-in-a-generation talent. I’m lucky to be standing at the edge of the pool with him.”
17-year-old Canadian Summer McIntosh also developed into a big star. She won the women’s 400 m individual medley, the 200 m individual medley and the 200 m butterfly and set Olympic records in the last two disciplines.
While Marchand and McIntosh could build legendary careers, Katie Ledecky (USA) has already done so. At her fourth Olympic Games, she won the 800m and 1500m freestyle, bringing her Olympic gold medal tally to nine – a joint record for women in any sport that she shares with gymnast Larisa LATYNINA (USSR).
Australia and the USA fought a fierce battle as usual, especially in the women’s races. Ariarne Ttimus (AUS) won the “race of the century”, defeating McIntosh and Ledecky in the 400-meter freestyle.
Mollie O’Callaghan and Kaylee McKeown from Australia also took gold, defending their two backstroke titles from Tokyo 2020.
Sarah Sjöström of Sweden completed the women’s 50 m and 100 m freestyle sprint double victory. Adam Peaty of the British team narrowly missed out on his third consecutive Olympic title in the men’s 100 m breaststroke, taking silver behind Nicolo Martinenghi of Italy.
With his triumph in the 200 m freestyle, David Popovic became the first Romanian to win Olympic gold in swimming.
Three world records were broken: PAN Zhanle (CHN) swam the men’s 100 m freestyle in 46.40 seconds, Bobby Finke (USA) surpassed the men’s 1500 m mark and the Americans also set a record in the 4×100 m individual medley.
For the complete swimming results click on Here.
Image source: Olympian Ryan Murphy of Team United States poses on the set of the Today Show. (Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)
“As I was walking back, Bridget was holding up a sign that said, ‘Ryan, it’s a girl.’ That was her revealing the gender. Of course, I knew she was pregnant.”
– Ryan Murphy (USA) learned the sex of his unborn child shortly after winning the bronze medal in the men’s 100m backstroke.
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Ledecky has now won four consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 800 m freestyle. The 27-year-old does not rule out a fifth attempt on home waters in Los Angeles in 2028.
“I’ll take it year by year and give it everything I’ve got while I’m still in it.”
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