Four finals, four gold medals, four Olympic records, but the new French swimming star Leon Marchand accepts this normal and remains firmly planted on the ground. After recording the same feat as American legends Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz – the only other men to have won four individual gold medals in swimming at one Games, Marchand marveled at the comparison, BTA reports.
"This is crazy. These guys are legends. Legends of this sport, said the youngster, whose coach Bob Bauman also worked with Phelps. - It's just crazy to be compared to them. I don't think I'll realize what I've accomplished just now. Maybe it will be in a few days."
Marchand took gold in his first event in the 400m medley, and then the Frenchman achieved an unprecedented feat in the 200m butterfly and 200m breaststroke on the same day on Wednesday. On Friday, he also added a title in the 200 medley.
"I woke up this morning and was full of energy. I don't think anything went wrong this week, everything was perfect. Four gold medals is not what I thought I could do. At first I was trying to win one. I had four chances to do it. Now I need time to think about what I did. I need a break," added the Frenchman.
Bowman, for his part, said the comparisons to Phelps are fully justified. "Leon has already been proven to join Michael in that very rare club of athletes who, when the pressure is on, perform better. There have been many great swimmers here, but he is certainly one of the greats," commented the coach.