Léon Marchand experienced a dazzling and sudden popularity during the Paris Olympics. But the quadruple Olympic champion was not prepared there and notoriety was difficult to live, according to his revelations in “Franceinfo” …
The life of Léon Marchand has completely changed this summer. First “simple” swimmer, he became a quadruple Olympic champion and made the eyes of all French people shine. But the 22 -year -old Toulouse sometimes has trouble managing this sudden notoriety, as he recently entrusted to Franceinfo…
Léon Marchand, embarrassed by fame: “I am not made for that …”
Rather discreet, this introvert must quickly learn to live with fame. Since his triumph at the 2024 Olympic Games, he has constantly faced the admiration of the Quidams. But Léon Marchand would be fine! “”When I have to say thank you to a lot of people on the street, when I have to shake a lot of hands, when I have to take a lot of photos (…) I am not made for that and it is not something that galvanizes me, it is something that I must do more, a full job “he assured to Franceinfo.
Despite everything, the Olympic champion, who took several months for him in Australia, experienced a lot of joy at the recognition of the public during the period following the Olympic Games. But to his dismay, he quickly got used to this constant enthusiasm: “It is even a little sad because we get used to it very quickly that people say: ‘Thank you for this summer’. I was told so many times that it doesn’t make me as happy as the first time “. And if he is surprised to see that his popularity has not been short of breath over the months, he wants to keep his feet on the ground: “It’s super positive, but it shouldn’t be too much used to all of this.”
Did Léon Marchand take the big head? “People treat me differently”
Whoever is the son of Olympic swimmers Xavier Marchand and Céline Bonnet admits that he is particularly afraid of taking the big head! “”And at the same time, I know that the people who are closest to me will make me understand that“, he said. If he has”not the impression of having changed“, Florent Manaudou’s colleague still noticed that everyone now saw him in another way:”Even among the people I knew before, some treat me differently. There are very few people who say no. All relationships are different, except with my loved ones“.
The quadruple Olympic champion, who trains in Austin in the United States, will now find it difficult to trust those who approach it, but it puts it into perspective: “I can’t complain about it all because I looked for it. It’s part of the job. It’s just new challenges for me “.
