First 200m medley of the year and first victory for Léon Marchand. In his Austin pool, under the eyes of a few French supporters, the quadruple Olympic champion dominated the Americans Carson Foster and Kieran Smith in 1′57′’65.
“I hadn’t competed in a long course since the World Championships in Singapore (where he set a new world record in 1’52”69), explains the adopted Texan. It was important to see where I am. I have improved in crawl and butterfly but lately it has been more difficult in breaststroke and backstroke. »
In the 200m backstroke, the leader of the Blues was beaten… by his compatriot Yohann Ndoye Brouard (1′56′’68 against 1′57′90). It’s anecdotal but the bronze medalist in the distance at the last World Championships is not shying away from his pleasure.
“As soon as I saw that Léon had entered the race, I obviously wanted to beat him because there are not many swimmers in the whole world who can say that they beat him,” smiles the Insep resident. So it’s cool because it remains a strong opponent. We see that he still finished second in the race even though that is not his specialty. »
PSS-Austin: Men’s 200 IM Top 3
🥇Leon Marchand (TXLA) — 1:57.65
🥈Carson Foster (NYAC) — 1:58.96
🥉Kieran Smith (RAC) — 1:59.86— SwimSwam Live (@SwimSwamLive) January 16, 2026
In a period of heavy land work which does not usually succeed in terms of time, Michel Chrétien’s protégé did not have to look too far for his motivation… “On paper I had the best time but I know that in the middle of the season, there was still a way that it would tickle me,” he continues. It’s been a really long time since I took a 200m backstroke so seriously during a load period. I like adversity and telling myself that I’m against a four-time Olympic champion, or against Foster or Smith… I’m not used to having such tough fields. I surprised myself by being so motivated! »
Winner the day before in the 100m backstroke, the Olympic bronze medalist in the 4x100m medley relay is satisfied with his week. “It went a bit in all directions in the 100m backstroke but I controlled my 200m backstroke really well,” he sums up. It’s cool. Afterwards, I just regret that there isn’t a huge density on the back here. When I compare with Maxime (Grousset) who finds himself against Caeleb Dressel (nine-time Olympic champion) or Jack Alexy…”
Like his partner at Bois de Vincennes, the New Caledonian, winner of the 100m butterfly (50”95) and second in the 50m freestyle (21”82) behind the Serbian Barna (21”77), appreciates the experience.
“I’m a little disappointed with the 50 because I swam faster in the semi-final (21”62), breathes the Habs. But I’m really happy with the butterfly. Doing 50 seconds in January with ten days of break after a month where we didn’t train because we were in competition… Honestly, I cut out completely for ten days and in barely a week, I’m at this level…”
The reigning double world champion in the 100m butterfly feels that he continues to reach new levels. “We have to act on things,” he says. Now I know I’m worth 50 seconds on a bad day, let’s say. That’s how it is and when I’m on top, it’s going to go down. » There are still two events remaining (50m butterfly and 100m freestyle) on his program. Léon Marchand dives back into the 400m medley on Friday.
For the girls, Béryl Gastaldello (24”85) and Marie Wattel (24”97) finished behind local Simone Manuel (24”79) in the 50m freestyle. Wattel, who trains in Arizona, also took 3rd place in the 100m butterfly (59”58), ahead of the American Regan Smith (56”18) and the Canadian prodigy Summer McIntosh (58”56).
