Leon Marchand. LaPresse

Watch: Leon Marchand earns historic fourth gold medal, Olympic record

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Aug 2, 2024 3:40 PM ET

Leon Marchand's historic individual Olympic performance came to a close Friday with the Frenchman saving his best for last.

Marchand, with his victory in the men's 200 individual medley, became only the fourth swimmer ever to win at least four gold medals at a single Games. He joins the elite company of Mark Spitz (1972), Kristin Otto (1988) and Michael Phelps, who did it twice (2004, 2008).

He also broke Phelps' Olympic record with a time of 1:54.06, leaving the 28-time medalist with only one remaining Olympic record of his still in the books. Marchand was just .06 away from Ryan Lochte's world record set in 2011.

LEON MARCHAND DOES IT AGAIN.

HIS FOURTH GOLD MEDAL OF THE #ParisOlympics.

NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/Mk1pStz1Oz
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 2, 2024

The crowd in La Defense Arena was thunderous as Marchand masterfully led the entire race. He even earned an embrace from French President Emmanuel Macron, who was in attendance.

The 22-year-old Marchand trains with Phelps' old coach, Bob Bowman, winning an NCAA national championship with him at Arizona State in March.

Marchand won his three other gold medals in the 400 individual medley, 200 butterfly and 200 breaststroke events earlier in the week. He also claimed the Olympic record in all three of those finals.

He could have one last opportunity for a medal in the men's 4x100 medley relay Saturday, but his quest to stay golden at these Paris Games would be more dependent on the rest of his teammate's efforts than his own.

Marchand's massive success in the pool could be the crown jewel in what is shaping up to be France's most successful Olympics in a century.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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