Marc-Antoine Olivier of France is aiming to become the first athlete in Olympic Games history to claim a 10km marathon swimming gold in home waters as marathon swimming makes its fifth appearance at the Games.
To date, Poliana Okimoto of Brazil, who claimed bronze in the women’s event at Rio 2016, is the only athlete to finish on the podium in their own nation since the 10km event debuted at Beijing 2008.
The twenty-eight-year-old claimed bronze himself in the men's event eight years ago in Brazil's Guanabara Bay before finishing sixth at Tokyo 2020.
He has warmed up for his third Olympic Games appearance in the men’s 10km marathon swimming, which takes place on Friday 9 August, by claiming silver medals at both the world championships and European championships earlier this year.
He finalised his preparations with a high-altitude training camp in Livigno, Italy.
“It’s a big dream to win a medal at the Olympic Games,” Olivier said.
“Hopefully, I have a lot of advantage with my country behind me, so I’m sure I’ll have more energy to finish the race.”
Swimming in the Seine, which runs through the heart of the French capital, has been banned since 1923, because of poor water quality.
However, since winning the bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games, authorities in the country have spent more than 1 billion euros to improve conditions.
Olivier hopes the investment will benefit not only the athletes who compete in the Olympic Games, but also members of the public for years to come.
“It’s very important because open water (swimming) is not very famous in my country,” Olivier said.
“The Seine is the best place in the world to swim because it has so much history in my country and Paris.
“For me, it’s very important to swim in the Seine, it’s important to win a medal for my country, and I hope a lot of people see the race and realise how fun this sport can be.”
Olivier will be one of 31 athletes, from 23 nations, to contest the men’s competition.
Among the other leading contenders are the Tokyo 2020 top three of Florian Wellbrock (GER), who defends his title; Kristof Rasovszky (HUN), the silver medallist, and bronze medallist Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA).
Medallists at the World Aquatics Championship include Domenico Acerenza (ITA), Oliver Klemet (GER), and Hector Pardoe (GBR) will also be expected to push for the podium places.
The performances of Paris 2024 800m freestyle champion Daniel Wiffen (IRL) and European 1500m freestyle gold medallist Kuze Tuncelli (TUR) will be keenly followed as well, with the pair among a group of 11 men who secured places in the marathon swimming via their performances in the pool.