Four-time Olympic champion at the Paris Games, Léon Marchand has already planned his reconversion at the University of Arizona, with several options.
At 22, Léon Marchand was the star of these Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Already a five-time long course world champion, he took part in his second Olympic Games this summer after Tokyo. Lined up in the 200 and 400m individual medley, 200m breaststroke and 200m butterfly, the Frenchman won every possible gold medal.
Having been living in the United States for almost three years, Léon Marchand trains with the legendary trainer Bob Bowman, who notably trained Michael Phelps, at Arizona State University. Alongside his daily training in the pool, Léon Marchand has continued his studies in computer science and programming.
In addition to his many hours of daily training and his studies, Léon Marchand also tries to free up time for another hobby: aviation. He is indeed trying to get his pilot’s license, which he had started in France before going into exile to swim under the orders of Bob Bowman. “I told myself that I would finish it in the US, but it’s quite complicated. There are a lot of administrative papers because when you’re a foreigner you can’t fly a plane like that,” he explained about this passion that could become a career change.
Because Léon Marchand intends to one day get out of the water for good and take to the skies, even if he doesn’t have the time for this project. Between administrative difficulties and the density of his training, it is indeed difficult for him to find time to learn to fly. But the Frenchman keeps this goal in mind, especially since he would like to fly around his university, and especially towards the Grand Canyon.
“I managed to do about fifteen hours in the US last year, and this year I have to get back to it. I would really like to have my private pilot’s license. Plus, Arizona is great because you can go see the Grand Canyon, it’s an hour away by plane. So it’s really a dream! I have to get stuck in, but I don’t have much time at the moment!” We can easily understand…