The summer exploits of French swimmer Léon Marchand have sparked vocations. Since the start of the school year, the number of members of the French Swimming Federation has increased by 10% compared to the previous year, a record. The rise of the practice of a discipline following a major sporting exploit is not a new phenomenon: in the 1980s, “ the Yannick Noah effect » had sparked a rush to the tennis courts, in 1998, the world of football had benefited from the “ World Cup effect “. Are such dynamics intended to continue, or are they only an ephemeral fashion phenomenon? The FFN is already working to ensure that this return to the pools is not a hopeless hope.
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In both the small and large pools, one name is on everyone’s lips: Léon Marchand. “ I want to swim as fast as him », confides Enzo, 8 years old, between two lengths. “ So I asked my mom to come every week “.
Enzo is far from the only one. Everywhere in France, swimming lessons are full. Nothing surprising, explains Laurent Ciubini, general director of the French Swimming Federation (FFN): “ The performances of great French swimmers constitute the main determinant of our number of licensees “. The Olympic effect, which is nothing new, is three times more pronounced than usual. The enthusiasm does not stop there: all the municipal swimming pools surveyed confirmed a clear increase in attendance at general public slots.
And the crowds, French swimming pools needed it. Hit hard by rising energy costs, 70% of them had been forced to reduce the water temperature by at least one degree by the turn of 2023. Enough to cool more ‘a Sunday swimmer.
Don’t let the opportunity slip away
The Léon Marchand effect is beneficial, but already faces certain obstacles. “ The increase in the number of licensees will depend on the capacity of communities to provide slots to the FFN to welcome newcomers », alerts Laurent Ciubini. Niches which are becoming all the more rare as the construction of swimming pools is sluggish in France. Result: certain clubs are forced to refuse potential new licensees. “ Without these constraints, we could have had an even bigger wave », Regrets Laurent Ciubini.
So to obtain resources, the FFN is stepping up to the plate. At the beginning of September, its president Gilles Sezionale challenged the new French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, demanding a massive investment plan for France’s aging swimming pools. On this subject, the new Minister of Sports Gil Avérous will be expected around the corner.
If the FFN is pressing the government so much to act, it is because a new cycle is perhaps opening for French swimming. Laurent Ciubini assures that “ the Léon Marchand effect » will be sustainable. “ I don’t want to put pressure on Léon, but I think he’s an athlete who is built to lasthe confides, enthusiastically. He will follow in the footsteps of Michael Phelps. »
And the example of the American swimmer, who brought eight gold medals from Beijing, is not chosen at random. In the wake of its performances at the 2008 Games, attendance at swimming pool classes in American high schools jumped – to 16% among men and 8% among women. An increase in numbers ten times more pronounced than usual. Once again, Léon Marchand follows in the footsteps of his youth idol.
A virtuous circle… and sustainable?
Many observers agree on one point: the last time that France experienced such sporting communion was during the 1998 Football World Cup. Same enthusiasm, same consequences: the competition won by the Blues had boosted attendance at football fields in France. Ferhat, who coached the young people of CA Paris 14 at the time, remembers: “ Concerning us, we had experienced an increase in staff numbers of 35 % “. The effect observed after each World Cup was increased tenfold. But he hastens to temper: “ Each time, it’s a fashion effect over one or two years. Then it fades”.
Successes lead to others. Because the great champions of yesterday are often the youth idols of those of today. Many 2018 world champions – like Ngolo Kanté or Kylian Mbappé – had confided the major inspiration that had been for them the 1998 World Cup.
Can the Léon Marchand effect usher in a golden age of French swimming, in the manner of “ the effect 98 » in football? For Laurent Ciubini, such a rush towards pools is a promise for the future: “ A young and well-built boy like Léon Marchand will inspire generations of swimmers. Undeniably, there will be a lasting effect on high-level French swimming “. The appointment is made.
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