The Vortex - September 2026: Marchand Sets Sights On Return To Training & World S/C Targets
The Vortex, our monthly compilation of news, views & links to external coverage of the sport, is available as part of our offer of free content emailed to those who register. For a deeper dive, consider a paid subscription in support of our work. Thank you
The relative quiet of post-summer showcases drawn to a close with the start of the Asian Games in Tokyo, it's a good moment to revive The Vortex after a break during coverage of the major meets of the summer and rest beyond it. A few stories from mid-September onwards, the latest date up top, as usual:
September 21
"I’ve taken too much time off, so I need to get back to training soon. My next goal is to compete in the World Short Course Championships in December and achieve good results."
So said Léon Marchand in a poolside talk show and clinic for school students at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre on the sidelines of the Asian Games today. The reigning four-times Olympic champion in the 200 breaststroke and butterfly and both medleys, 200 and 400m, was in town with other athletes, including retired American sprinter Anthony Ervin, promoting their sport.
The first half of the event Marchand appeared at with Ervin, a World Aquatics ambassador, saw the Frenchman reflect on his own days as a student and growing up in a swimming family (both parents former French internationals, his father Xavier a former World-Championship silver medalist in the 200m medley):
"I was a completely different swimmer back then. I wasn't the type of athlete who posted great results when I was young, but I prioritised enjoying the sport. I was taught about the significance of participating in the Olympics, rather than just winning."
On his Tokyo202one Olympic debut in the same city in which he was talking, Marchand recalled:
"What left the biggest impression on me was living in the Athletes' Village alongside athletes from other sports. Although I finished sixth in the 400m individual medley, I felt that the podium wasn't out of reach."
Not long after that debate he moved to Arizona to be coached by Michael Phelps' mentor Bob Bowman in the U.S. It was there that he learnt to set his goals high and voice the dreams held therein:
"When I was in France, I didn't have the habit of voicing my dreams or goals. Going to America made me realise that it's okay to speak about them openly."
Paris 2024 made Marchand a household name not only at home in France, his four golds making him the hero of a home Games.
Léon Marchand - European champion in the 200 'fly and 400 free at home in Paris this summer - photos by Patrick B. Kraemer, all rights reserved
His next ultimate goal is LA2028 but it sounded in Tokyo as if Marchand is looking to have a bigger impact in freestyle events after his 400m free victory at Paris Europeans last month:
Craig Lord
How far did he think he could go with Mission Freestyle? "I want to achieve small goals along the way."
The size of the goals was not revealed, but on 3:43 over 400m in Paris, it's not hard to see which way the wind is blowing.
In other coverage:
Craig Lord
Voice
SOS Guest
Also in the Vortex:
- Australia To Launch New Swim GP in Melbourne in November
- USA Swimming's trouble with bosses
- Elijah Winnington switches programs for mid-distance experiment
- Kaylee McKeown Back in Business - Off on World Cup Tour
- Tatjana Smith Returns - Comeback Under way
- 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials dates set
- U.S. Bill to cap international athletes
- Sweden's Erik Persson retires
