The 2024 Paris Olympics are not over yet, but a hero has emerged: Swimmer Leon Marchand

French swimmer Leon Marchand has lit up the blue waters at the Paris Olympics with four gold medals, amid China's doping scandals that have created a controversial atmosphere around the pool.

Leon Marchand drives the French crazy with his amazing performances - Photo: REUTERS

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Leon Marchand (22 years old) won a total of 4 individual gold medals, including 3 gold medals in the 200m distance: breaststroke, butterfly and medley; one gold medal in the 400m medley. In addition, Leon Marchand also won a bronze medal with the French team in the 4x100m medley event. The French swimmer is the most shining male athlete on the 2024 Olympic green track.

Leon Marchand won 4 gold medals and was the best swimmer at the 2024 Paris Olympics - Photo: Reuters

"Marchand's Olympics"

With such impressive achievements, the European press has called the Paris Olympics "Marchand's Olympics". The Guardian (UK) wrote: "No swimmer has owned an Olympics like that, since Michael Phelps won eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics". Each of his competitions was sold out, every seat in the media area was occupied and his every gesture made the French public cheer with excitement. The Guardian commented: Marchand has become the great hero of the Olympics. And he has not stopped yet. Marchand was also very excited to reply to his fans: "This is just the beginning. The next goal is Los Angeles 2028". Leon Marchand seems to have inspired, bringing unity to the French people, something that may have been lacking in the host country in recent times of deep political division. A bizarre idea has been floated by political cartoonists and social media users that Marchand should be elected prime minister of France! Andrew Hussey, a historian of French culture, explains that these jokes reflect France's desire to "celebrate someone who seems so dedicated and sincere to his sport and lifestyle". It also reflects the fact that many people see Marchand as a contrast to the country's politicians.

China's doping controversy

Chinese swimmers won gold medals in the 4x100m mixed relay - Photo: Reuters

Marchand's brilliance has somewhat eased the tense atmosphere at the Paris Olympics. Specifically, this year's Olympics began in doubt, when it was reported that 23 Chinese swimmers had failed doping tests. A fierce debate broke out between the US Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency over how to handle the case. Then 11 of the 23 "suspects" were selected to compete at the Paris Olympics. Breaststroker Qin Haiyang said he was a victim of "European and American conspiracy" and promised to win medals to "silence the doubters". And in fact, the 11 people above won 4 individual medals and 5 medals in relay events. Even Pan Zhanle's gold medal and world record in the men's 100m freestyle was met with scepticism, with Australian swimming experts saying that Pan Zhanle's time of 46.80 seconds was beyond human limits! All of this created a tense and uncomfortable atmosphere around the pool, with the Chinese feeling discriminated against and their swimmers repeatedly complaining about the way they were treated. The Paris Olympics were the fourth consecutive Olympics in which swimming was overshadowed by doping scandals.

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