Why Marchand Pulled Out—and What the French Federation Says

A spokesperson for the FFN told L’Équipe that Marchand’s withdrawal was “not related to injury but to a deliberate choice in his training cycle.” The 20-year-old, who dominated the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with gold in the 400m and 1500m, has been training in a reduced volume ahead of Paris, a strategy his coaches have emphasized to avoid overuse.

Marchand remains eligible for the 400m and 1500m events at the French Nationals, which serve as a final selection tool for the Olympic team. His decision to skip the 200m—where he holds a French record of 1:44.41—suggests a tactical focus on the longer distances, where he has historically been unstoppable.

Key detail: The French Nationals run from June 12–16 in Montpellier, with the 200m freestyle scheduled for June 14. Marchand’s absence means no direct head-to-head with his rivals ahead of Paris.

How This Affects His Olympic Preparation—and the French Team’s Strategy

Marchand’s withdrawal is not unprecedented. In 2022, he sat out the European Championships to prioritize his 2023 World Championships campaign, where he reclaimed the 1500m title. This year, his coaches—including longtime mentor FFN performance director Philippe Lucas—have stressed a “quality over quantity” approach.

However, the move has raised eyebrows among analysts. “The 200m is a critical race for Marchand’s Olympic build-up,” said Swimming World senior editor Mark Putt. “It’s where he first broke the 1:45 barrier in 2021, and skipping it now could signal he’s fully committed to the longer distances—even if it means leaving a gap in his recent results.”

Olympic implications:

• Marchand’s focus on the 400m and 1500m aligns with his Tokyo success, where he won both events without competing in the 200m.
• The French team will now rely on Fina’s Olympic qualification system, which already secured Marchand’s spots in the 400m and 1500m through his world-record performances.
• His absence from the 200m could open the door for younger French swimmers like Maxime Grousset (current French record holder in the 200m butterfly) to step up in shorter sprints.

What Marchand’s Schedule Looks Like Now—and His Next Key Test

Marchand’s next confirmed competition is the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, scheduled for February 2–18, 2025. Between now and then, he is expected to focus on dryland training and technical refinement, particularly for the 400m and 1500m.

Upcoming deadlines:

• June 12–16, 2024: French National Championships (Montpellier). Marchand competes in 400m and 1500m only.
• July 26–August 11, 2024: Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Marchand’s primary targets: 400m and 1500m freestyle.
• February 2–18, 2025: World Aquatics Championships (Doha). Post-Olympics assessment for Marchand’s next cycle.

For now, Marchand’s team has not commented on whether he will attempt the 200m in Paris. Given his dominance in longer distances, the focus remains squarely on defending his Olympic titles—where he enters as the clear favorite.

How This Compares to His 2023 Season—and What It Says About His Approach

Marchand’s selective racing mirrors his 2023 strategy, when he won the 1500m at the World Championships without competing in the 400m. At the time, his coaches framed it as a way to “preserve energy for the big races.”

2023 vs. 2024:

Analysts note that Marchand’s approach contrasts with rivals like Kieran Smith (USA), who competes across all distances to build endurance. “Marchand’s specialization is a high-risk, high-reward strategy,” said SwimSwam editor Dan Lurns. “If it works, he’ll dominate the longer races. If not, he risks falling behind in shorter sprints.”

What This Means for French Swimming’s Olympic Hopes

The French team is banking on Marchand to deliver in Paris, where he is the only swimmer with a realistic shot at multiple golds. His withdrawal from the 200m at the Nationals does not impact his Olympic qualification—he is already locked in for the 400m and 1500m—but it could influence how the team structures its relay teams.

For example:

• The French 4x200m freestyle relay, which includes Marchand, may now rely more on Roméo Boulic (2023 European silver medalist in the 200m) to anchor the second leg.
• If Marchand struggles in the 400m or 1500m, the team’s medal hopes in those events could shift to Étienne Haury, who recently broke the European record in the 800m freestyle (7:42.56).

FFN president Bernard Lapasset told reporters, “Léon’s decision is part of a broader plan. We’re confident he’ll be ready for Paris, and his focus on the longer distances is exactly what we need to challenge the Americans and Australians.”

FAQ: Marchand’s Withdrawal—What Readers Are Asking