Olympic, World, never European champion Léon Marchand was off racing under 1:44 leading France off to silver in the 4x200m free behind Great Britain, so while the cat was away from medley nursing his healing adductor, a neutral mouse made hay with a championship-record win of 4:08.17.

Ilia Borodin (NAB) took the lead after 'fly and held it to the end of play.

The meet mark had stood for 18 years, since László Cseh (HUN) took the crown in 4:09.59 back in 2008 as he prepared to claimed three silvers behind a certain "alien", as Cseh japed, Michael Phelps, at Beijing 2008, when the American claimed his single-Games record eight-golds haul.

The World-record splits provide an overlay and virtual race to tell you where the Frenchman would have been in relation to Borodin, who was followed home by Italian Alberto Razzetti, Max Litchfield, of Great Britain, taking bronze:

Litchfield is 31, and training on to have one more shot at the Olympic podium after finishing frustrating fourth at the last two. Asked to sum up his feelings after the race, he said:

"Very good. It's faster than Glasgow - I mean, [even] this morning was faster than Glasgow. Really good... A month ago I wasn't really sure I was even gonna swim Commies or here. A few things have been going wrong physically. We've not been able to get 100% right yet. So, you know, obviously in Edinburgh, Scottish Nationals, I was like 4:23, so really struggling. It's great to see the work we've done in the last 4 weeks and stuff to turn it around; some good learnings moving forward as well about how I recover and rest."

GBR head coach had spoken to the team about the need to step up after Glasgow, Paris being the national benchmark event for Britain. Litchfield explained what "the bounce" means:

"Whatever you want to call it, whatever term you use, it's one of those things where, you know, you do a really big block of physiological work at a race meet, like training essentially, and then you bounce on really well and that kind of helps your physiology. Also, being part of this British team again is great as well. We've got a really good team mix of youth and senior and it's great to be part of."

The plan is to go to LA.

"Yeah, since Paris [Olympics], and obviously missing out there, its always been the goal: in four years' time, go again, and see what we get and try and take every advantage, use every moment we have to our advantage to get us a podium. I'm enjoying these experiences."

As an age pioneer, no less...?

"Exactly. Yeah, you know, there's a lot of young guys in there. I've seen some 2006-borns in there and stuff, and so they've got to put me in the spot, haven't they? I'm not at my best, but we're somewhere near, and, you know, we want to be at my best in less than 2 years' time, so we'll see what we can do."

Just so.

His bronze was one of three medals for Britain on the first day in Paris, the other two golden:

Great Britain’s 4x200 Olympic & World Champion Men Fend Off Yet Another Onslaught

There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’. And the one thing we said before walking out is ‘just do your part and try and get the best outcome possible’. - James Guy after being singled out for his 1:44.07 leg for Great Britain

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

4x200 Gold For Colbert, Wood, Schlosshan & Anderson: A New Dawn For GBR Women

After GBR rise to the top of the event’s all-time medals table, Leah Schlosshan says: “Our instruction from our coaches, was to commit and command, so it was short and simple ... We’ve been wanting this time for so long, and we’re gonna chase that medal in LA [2028 Olympics] ...”

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Our history file shows how dominant Hungary has been at European level over 400IM, with 14 golds since 1962, Italy nearest with 4 golds.