ASU, France swimming superstar Léon Marchand wins first Olympic gold medal in record-breaking time

In front of a packed French crowd inside La Défense Arena, Marchand was greeted with a massive roar of cheers from thousands of spectators who were excited to see one of the best up-and-coming swimmers the nation has ever seen.

Marchand beat Japan’s Tomoyuki Matsushita by 6:33, cruising to this major accomplishment for himself, his country and the ASU fans cheering him on in the Valley.

Here are the results of the 400 IM:

1. Léon Marchand (France) – 4:02.95 | GOLD
2. Tomoyuki Matsushita (Japan) – 4:08.62 | SILVER
3. Carson Foster (USA) – 4:08.66 | BRONZE
4. Max Litchfield (Great Britain) – 4:08.85
5. Alberto Razzetti (Italy) – 4:09.38
6. Lewis Clareburt (New Zealand) – 4:10.44
7. Daiya Seto (Japan) – 4:11.78
8. Cedric Buessing (Germany) – 4:17.16

Last time out in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the French sensation finished No. 6 in the race with a 4:11.16 after he advanced to the final of the 400 IM. The Tokyo gold medalist of this event, USA’s Chase Kalisz, was unable to qualify for this year’s final on Sunday.

From the start of the clock until he finished, Marchand led the entire way and never looked back in the four-discipline race, especially during the second 100-meter split with his backstroke. Matsushita and USA’s Foster trailed far behind even though they were the two closest to catching Marchand.

The momentum from the home crowd paired with his recent success at ASU has powered Marchand into a superstar. He won eight NCAA individual titles and is a 10-time NCAA champion, 17-time Pac-12 champ and 21-time CSCAA All-American in his three seasons (2022-24) at Arizona State. The Toulouse, France native holds school records in the 100 free, 500 free, 100 breast, 200 breast, 200 IM and 400 IM as well as NCAA records in the 200 IM, 200 breast, 500 free, 400 free relay and 400 medley relay.

Stay on the lookout for more Olympic glory by Marchand as he will also compete in the 200 fly and 200 breaststroke next week. The 22-year-old won gold at the 2023 World Championships in the 200 fly.