Leon Marchand Passes Michael Phelps In 200 Fly All-Time Rankings, Swims Olympic Record 1:51.21

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

MEN’S 200 BUTTERFLY – FINAL

  1. Leon Marchand (France) – 1:51.21 (Olympic Record)
  2. Kristof Milak (Hungary) – 1:51.75
  3. Ilya Kharun (Canada) – 1:52.80
  4. Krzysztof Chmielewski (Poland) – 1:53.90
  5. Noe Ponti (Switzerland) – 1:54.14
  6. Mertin Espernberger (Austria) – 1:54.17
  7. Kregor Zirk (Estonia) – 1:54.55
  8. Alberto Razzetti (Italy) – 1:54.85

Leon Marchand swam to a new Olympic Record and French Record with a 1:51.21. That broke Kristof Milak‘s record of a 1:51.25 from the 2020 Tokyo Games. Marchand also broke his own French Record that stood at a 1:52.43 that he swam at the 2023 World Championships for gold.

Marchand also passes Michael Phelps in the all-time performer of the event as Marchand now sits at #2 all-time.

Split Comparison

Marchand- 2024
Milak -2020
Marchand- 2023 Worlds
50 24.96 24.48 25.42
100 28.5 29 28.17
150 28.78 28.67 29.56
200 28.97 29.1 29.28
1:51.21 1:51.25 1:52.43

Marchand was much faster on his second 100 today than he was to win the event at the 2023 World Championships. He had a huge underwater on the final 50 today, helping push him past Milak and earn the win.

Marchand previously sat at #3 all-time with his previous best time but now passes Phelps, whose 1:51.51 stood as the World Record for about 13 years until Milak broke the record in 2022.

Men’s 200 Fly All-Time Performers

  1. Kristof Milak, 1:50.34 (2022)
  2. Leon Marchand 1:51.21 (2024)
  3. Michael Phelps, 1:51.51 (2009)

Marchand’s 200 fly was the first of his two finals tonight as he also enters as the top seed in the 200 breaststroke, which will take place at the end of the session.

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CasualSwimmer
1 hour ago

You can’t achieve such a great race without at least two extremely talented swimmers ! I really hope Milak’s will be able to move away quietly from Hungerian media and finds a nice place in the sun with a supportive staff

Gavi
1 hour ago

Too bad the pool seems a bit slow…
Otherwise, I feel like the frog would have broken at least 2 WR (400 medley and 200 breast)…

Paul H
2 hours ago

Did Phelps or Milak EVER split sub-29 on the last 50m?

Has anyone before?

Beach Boy
Reply to  Paul H
1 hour ago

Yeah. MP has and others too.

Sapiens Ursus
Reply to  Paul H
1 hour ago

Yes but I think this is the first in a sub 1:53 swi.

bobthebuilderrocks
Reply to  Paul H
1 hour ago

Dressel has, but en route to a 1:56

Outside Smoke
2 hours ago

As a Canadian I thought it was strange how Byron kept saying Marchand looked like he was going all-out in the prelims and semis on the CBC feed. Are we watching the same swimmer?

Bobthebuilderrocks
Reply to  Outside Smoke
2 hours ago

Dude, people were saying Marchand was fading the final 50 of the semifinals. Wild comments were made

bobthebuilderrocks
2 hours ago

CALLED IT

HeatFan14
3 hours ago

Delete

Last edited 3 hours ago by HeatFan14
WillisAlexander
3 hours ago

It was extremely shocking to see Milak being passed, when he normally goes out fast and then just ends up making his lead bigger and bigger until hes several seconds in front. Still cant believe Marchand mowed Milak down. This french crowd must have helped him rise to the occasion now doubt. A new superstar of swimming has been born this day.

cow from china
3 hours ago

Jesus, is leons lane deeper or something

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022 and 2023 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. Currently, Anya is pursuing her B.A. in Economics and a minor in Government & Law at …

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