Leon Marchand reignites swimming passion after Olympic glory

After four gold medals at Paris 2024, French swimmer Leon Marchand regains motivation for the 2025 season.

French four-time Olympic gold medalist Leon Marchand trains at the Piscine du Chaudron in Saint-Denis de la Réunion on December 21, 2024, ahead of the Meeting de l’Océan Indien swimming event. Photo by Richard Bouhet/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

French swimming sensation Leon Marchand reignites swimming passion just months after dominating the pool at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 22-year-old, who captured the hearts of a nation with four gold medals on home soil, has admitted that he considered stepping away from the sport after the high of his Olympic triumph. But after a brief period of rest and reflection, Marchand’s fire has returned.

"I hesitated about doing it but I soon got the fire back in my belly," Marchand told French media, including AFP, when asked if he had thought about skipping the 2025 season. Following his grueling Olympic schedule and the weight of national expectations, it’s no surprise that the young champion experienced a dip in motivation.

Struggling to find energy after Paris 2024

After the euphoric scenes in Paris, Marchand found himself unusually fatigued. “I had a little dip in energy and mentally. I didn't really want to get up in the morning to go to training. I was a bit more tired than normal,” he said.

Winning four individual gold medals and a relay bronze at the Olympics is an extraordinary achievement—but it also takes a toll. Marchand made the difficult decision to withdraw from the World Short-Course Championships in December, recognizing the need to protect both his physical and mental well-being.

Australia offered space and recovery

To recover and reset, Marchand traveled to Australia, where he continued light training away from the spotlight. This shift of environment proved pivotal. “I didn’t really set myself any goals for this year,” he admitted. “But after a month and a half in Australia I was really starting to get into training; trying to get back to my level, do times again in heats, put my suit back on, do relays and improve my freestyle.”

Far from home and free of pressure, Marchand rediscovered the joy of swimming. The Olympic champion said that even though he had not planned a full comeback right away, the rhythm of training reignited his competitive instinct.

“I went on holiday for a bit, and in the end the passion for swimming returned. I think I took enough time off,” he said, smiling.

Back with Bob Bowman and ready for Florida

With renewed focus, Marchand flew to Texas in March to reunite with coach Bob Bowman—best known for guiding the legendary Michael Phelps. The Frenchman credits Bowman with not only helping him reach elite levels of performance but also understanding when rest is part of growth.

Marchand is now targeting his return to competition at the Pro Swim Series in Florida, scheduled for early May. This meet will serve as a crucial stepping stone as he builds toward the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, which will take place from July 27 to August 3.

“I want to do the world championships in Singapore,” he confirmed. “I’ll see how I feel but I want to swim.”

Learning to manage expectations

The journey from Olympic gold to burnout and back to motivation is a reminder that even the best athletes are human. For Marchand, the experience has been a learning curve. After such a massive achievement at a young age, the pressure to maintain peak form can be overwhelming.

French fans and media quickly elevated Marchand to hero status after his dominant display in Paris. However, the weight of national pride, commercial obligations, and non-stop training can quietly build up, leading to moments of doubt—even in world-class champions.

Time off was not failure—it was fuel

What’s notable is that Marchand never saw his time away from top-level competition as a setback. Instead, it was a vital part of his evolution.

For a few months, the stopwatch didn’t matter. He didn’t chase world records or medals. He focused on his health, explored new training environments, and enjoyed moments of stillness. That choice may prove to be a winning one, both for his performance and longevity.

His decision to listen to his body—and take rest seriously—sends a powerful message in a sport that often rewards relentless effort over rest. Marchand’s honesty about his struggles makes his comeback all the more relatable and inspiring.

The next chapter of a rising legend

Leon Marchand has already achieved more than most swimmers dream of, but his story is far from over. As he gears up for Florida and eyes Singapore in the summer, fans are eager to see what version of Marchand returns to the pool.

Will we see a faster, more relaxed, and wiser swimmer? If his recent interviews are anything to go by, the answer is yes.

With his talent, drive, and renewed spirit, Marchand is poised not only to add to his medal haul but to become a long-term fixture in the global swimming elite. And as he dives back into competition, he does so with something even more valuable than medals—perspective.