Leon Marchand has been entered in six events for the French Elite Championships, which kick off on Saturday, June 27 and run through Thursday, July 2 in Saint‑Étienne. The 24‑year‑old Olympic champion will contest his signature 200 m breaststroke, 200 m butterfly, 200 m IM and 400 m IM, plus the 200 m and 400 m freestyle, as the meet doubles as the selection trial for the European Championships in Paris.
Which events will Leon Marchand swim?
Marchand’s entry list shows him on the psych sheets for the 200 m breaststroke, 200 m butterfly, 200 m individual medley and 400 m individual medley – the four disciplines that earned him gold on home soil at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In addition, he appears in the 200 m freestyle and 400 m freestyle, giving him a total of six races over the six‑day meet.
How does this affect his European Championship chances?
The French Elite Championships serve as the official selection meet for the upcoming European Championships, also set for Paris. By racing in all six events, Marchand can demonstrate his current form across multiple strokes and distances, giving selectors a clear picture of his readiness. If he posts times near his world‑record marks, his place on the European roster will be virtually guaranteed.
Who are the other French stars on the start list?
While Marchand headlines the field, backstroke specialist Yohann Ndoye‑Brouard tops the three backstroke events after winning bronze in both the 100 m and 200 m backstroke at last summer’s World Championships in Singapore, where he set a national record of 51.92 s in the 100 m. Maxime Grousset, the reigning world champion in the 50 m and 100 m butterfly, will miss the meet due to a fractured left foot. On the women’s side, Beryl Gastaldello leads the 50 m and 100 m freestyle, while Marie Wattel is expected to challenge in the 50 m freestyle, 50 m butterfly and 100 m butterfly.
What are the stakes for Marchand’s schedule?
Competing in six races within a six‑day window is a demanding program, especially for an athlete who already holds world records in the 200 m and 400 m IM. The question remains whether Marchand will actually swim all four of his medal‑winning events or prioritize a subset to preserve peak performance for the European Championships. Either way, his presence in Saint‑Étienne guarantees a headline‑making performance for French swimming fans.
What’s next after the French Championships?
Assuming Marchand meets the selection criteria, he will join the French squad heading to the European Championships later this summer, where he will look to defend his titles and add to his medal haul. The French federation will announce the final roster shortly after the Saint‑Étienne meet concludes on July 2.
Leon Marchand’s six‑event entry underscores his ambition to dominate across strokes and distances, while the French Championships provide the perfect stage to cement his status as the nation’s premier swimmer ahead of the European showdown.