When he arrives in the swimming pool at Indiana University, on the vast IUPUI campus, Bob Bowman, Léon Marchand’s coach, is not swimming in unknown waters. It was here, twenty-four years ago, when the French star was not even born, that Michael Phelps’ ex-mentor led the American legend to his first Olympic qualification at just 15 years old!
The boss of Arizona State University, where the Frenchman has been playing for two and a half years, also keeps a framed souvenir photo in his office. He will perhaps do the same if his 18 “boys” win Saturday night the first NCAA title in ASU history with Phelps’ heir at their head.
