Leon Marchand’s “clan”, an entire family that takes a swimmer to the top

Behind every great champion is a coach, of course, but also a family. Partner, children, but also parents and siblings. Very private about his personal life, Leon Marchand is supported by his parents, both former swimmers, and his younger brother. And support him in the stands.

Indeed, his father, Xavier, is a former world runner-up in the 200m individual medley, an Olympic finalist in Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000. His mother, Celine Bonnet, participated in the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 and was the French champion several times. . “Celine was extremely talented about skating and technique. Leon inherited his watery qualities. Xavier was determined to have a perfect race on the big day,” RMC consultant Sophie Kamun confides to our colleagues. Paris game. His uncle Christophe was also a French and European champion and participated in the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

“I was very young, but I quickly understood when I went to my paternal grandparents. On the walls were newspapers from my father’s childhood, jackets of the French national team, souvenirs of the Olympic Games, etc. There was also a room with trophies, trophies, medals… That’s when I realized that they are really good,” the young swimmer from Toulouse recalls on the pages. parisian .

With such a legacy, one can think of an inevitable forced career scenario. However, this is not the case, as the 22-year-old swimmer himself told the newspaper. The team “It was never obvious and my parents didn’t really push me. Rather, they were trying to slow me down or even dissuade me. They know that it is one of the most difficult sports, that there are many sacrifices.

But her parents also know how to be there to guide her. Still in columns the teamLeon Marchand recalls with a laugh. “It was in the old swimming pool of Leo-Lagrange in Toulouse. I swam the heat at about 5’10” (5’8”85) and my mom told me she’s not doing well, it’s your job to tell her. And the three-time Olympic champion also inherited a certain discretion and humility from them, which motivates him not to put himself forward. “It should be a bit like us,” also believes Javier Marchand.

Oscar, the warmest supporter

And here is his little brother, Oscar, to whom he makes the most wonderful statements on his Instagram account, the one who does not want to reveal his private life on the networks. “I want to get an Oscar for every movie I make in my head.”

This little brother is one of his unmistakable supporters, the king of the stands, as the user writes in the comment on this photo: “Oscar, king of the stands, Leo, Caesar of swimming, pools.” Carrying the cardboard figure of his brother, he is his best supporter.

The 17-year-old even makes a sound, as evidenced by this video published on X during the Fukuoka World Championships.

A small, strong frame with seamless support that visibly helped Leon Marchand rise to the top and make his mark in this Paris Olympics adventure.