The Frenchman claimed two gold medals at the 2022 World Aquatics Championships during an impressive breakout year.

Marchand then attained three gold medals at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Japan, breaking the 400m individual medley world record previously held by Michael Phelps.

He is targeting four individual events at his home Games and is aware that recent successes mean there are significant expectations around his performances at Paris 2024.

“I think there are two options, you can stay in your bubble and try to do your own race and ignore what is happening in the stands, but I’m not like that,” Marchand insists.

“To me, it’s the other option, it’s an advantage to have the Frenchmen in the stands and be at home, so I’m going to try and use that enthusiasm. 

“In terms of results, I would like to win a race, that (one gold medal) would be enough for me, but at the same time I have four races and four chances to do that.”

The 22-year-old is due to compete in the 200m and 400m IM, as well as the 200m butterfly and 200m breaststroke during the eight-day Paris 2024 swimming programme.

‘Fun And Freedom’ Swimming In The USA

Marchand made his Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, finishing sixth in the 400m IM, before moving to the USA and joining Phelps’ former coach Bob Bowman, at Arizona State.

The move from European reaped almost instant results with the Frenchman achieving a host of history-making NCAA achievements and records before landing his maiden World titles in the summer of 2022.

“At that time a lot of things happened in my life and with sport and moving to the United States was really nice because I could see a different culture and have more fun in the water,” reveals Marchand.

“At the beginning I was very reserved in the water and I can’t really express myself to the maximum, but I learned to do things you wouldn’t necessarily do in Europe and so there was a big evolution.”

The Influence Of Bob Bowman

The iconic American coach guided Michael Phelps throughout his incredible career which saw the swimmer claim 28 Olympic medals over five Games and claim a record-breaking eight titles at Beijing 2008.

Bowman is part of the France coaching team at Paris 2024, meaning he will work directly with Marchand throughout the Games, something the Frenchman sees as a huge advantage.

“It’s great to have him here because he is very committed but also very calm and not worried about anything,” reveals the USA-based athlete.

“We’ve been working for a year and a half so I don’t need to ask too many questions because he does the work, I train, I go home and recover, it’s simple.

“He has so much experience at the highest level and it’s pretty incredible how many Olympics he has done.”

Embracing Psychology In Sport

Marchand also attributes his remarkable improvements in the water to embracing psychological support and gaining greater awareness about the mental side of the sport.

He reveals that much of this was born out of conversations with London 2012 50m freestyle champion Florent Manaudou, who is also part of the France Paris 2024 squad.

“If the past I think that athletes were a little afraid to go and see this kind of person because it showed a weakness, but I never really had this fear,” he states.

“I think a lot of athletes are inspired by Flo (Manaudou) and I had conversations with him around my first Games in Tokyo and I simply read a book by (psychologist) Thomas Sammut which had been done in collaboration with Florent Manaudou.

“I really liked the book which talked a little about the United States and their spirit of winning and I made contact with Thomas during Covid (coronavirus pandemic in 2020) and we have been working together since.

“I have made a lot of improvements on myself and what I do in the water thanks to him.”

Leaving A Legacy Which Extends Beyond Paris 2024

Led by Manaudou, as well as individual titles for Yannick Agnel (200m freestyle), Camille Muffat (400m freestyle) and the men’s 4x100m freestyle team, France enjoyed their best-ever Olympic performances at London 2012.

While Marchand is well aware matching that haul himself will be extremely challenging, he is keen to leave his mark on French history.

“The Olympic Games is a dream for a lot of people and I really want to succeed at the Games, which would mean winning a race,” he says.

“For me, leaving a mark on history is a driving force.”