Analyzing How Marchand’s Opening 15 Meters Won Him 200 Breast Gold Over ZSC

Courtesy: Dominique Hérailh

This data is courtesy of the French Swimming Federation.

The French Swimming Federation has released detailed statistics on all the swimming finals at the Paris Olympics, and in this article, we’ll break down the final of the men’s 200 breaststroke where Leon Marchand soared to gold over defending champion Zac Stubblety-Cook (ZSC).

In a previous article, we had already detailed the 200-meter fly, the first swim of Leon Marchand’s historic double on the evening of July 31st in the overexcited atmosphere of the Arena Défense. The story would not be complete if we did not talk about this second race that made this feat memorable.

For a complete view of the podium, we will also note the data of the bronze medalist, Caspar Corbeau.

Let’s start with a general overview before getting into the full breakdown.

This first table gives the decomposition of the full 200 meters broken down by the underwater portion and the ‘over the water’ segments. The number of strokes and their amplitude are also provided.

Marchand ZSC C.Corbeau
Underwater Distance (m) 53.7 42.4 50.3
Time Underwater (s) 28.28 21.92 26.84
Value in m/sec (D/T) 1.90 1.93 1.87
Swimming distance 146.3 157.6 149.7
Time Over The Water (s) 97.57 104.87 101.06
Value in m/s (D/T) 1.50 1.50 1.48
Total Strokes 65 73 57
Average amplitude per stroke 2.31 2.22 2.65

In this event, Marchand’s strength lies in his underwater glide. While Marchand covers 53.7 meters underwater, ZSC manages only 42.4 meters, or 79% of that distance. Corbeau covers 50.3 meters, achieving 94% of Marchand’s distance. Although ZSC’s underwater distance is shorter, he covers it slightly faster.

In the actual swimming portion, Marchand and ZSC have nearly identical speeds (1.50 m/s), with Corbeau being slightly slower.

The following graph compares stroke frequency and speed.

Observing the relationship between stroke frequency and speed, we see that Marchand only slightly increased his stroke rate to maintain speed, while ZSC had to significantly increase his stroke rate to achieve nearly the same speed. This is reminiscent of cycling, where some riders can maintain a high gear ratio while others need to change gears. This suggests that ZSC was at his limit, while Marchand may have had more in reserve if faced with a tighter race.

Let’s break down the race.

Marchand’s reaction time at the start was the fastest (0.64), followed by ZSC (0.66) and Corbeau (0.68).

Start to 15 meters

Marchand ZSC C.Corbeau
Time (s) 5.95 6.88 6.31
Value in m/sec (D/T) 2.52 2.18 2.32

The time gap at 15 meters between Marchand and ZSC is the same as at the finish with a difference of one one-hundredth of a second. ZSC had a poor start. His underwater was three meters shorter than Marchand’s (14.17 vs 17.22) and his speed on this portion was significantly slower (2.52 vs 2.18). Note that Marchand was even faster than the fastest opening 15-meter split in the 100 breast final (Nic Fink at 5.96).

15 Meters To 50 Meters

Marchand ZSC C. Corbeau
Time (s) 22.47 22.42 22.88
Value in m/s (D/T) 1.558 1.561 1.530

Stubblety-Cook managed to make a touch of ground on Marchand early in the race, although Marchand’s advantage off the blocks kept him out ahead early.

Early Standings

  • Marchand 28.42
  • Dong +0.63
  • Matheny +0.75
  • Corbeau +0.77
  • ZSC +0.88

First Turn

Marchand ZSC C. Corbeau
Underwater (m) 12.68 9.61 11.92
Time (s) 7.56 5.56 7.15
Value in m/s 1.68 1.73 1.67
Time 15 meters 9.17 9.18 9.29
Speed (m/s) 1.636 1.634 1.615

Despite a longer underwater from Marchand, ZSC made up that advantage swimming, as the two had near identical 15-meter splits.

65 Meters To 100 Meters

Marchand ZSC C. Corbeau
Time (s) 23.00 23.08 22.92
Value in m/s (D/T) 1.522 1.516 1.527

Corbeau was the fastest in this part. He covered the 50 to 100-metre section in just 13 strokes. As a very tall athlete (1.98m or 6’6), Corbeau has a powerful stroke and long glide.

100-Meter Standings:

  • Marchand 1:00.59
  • Corbeau +0.81
  • ZSC +0.97

Second turn

Marchand ZSC C. Corbeau
Underwater (m) 12.11 9.17 11.77
Time (s) 7.24 5.42 7.26
Value in m/sec (D/T) 1.67 1.69 1.62
Time 15 meters 9.10 9.32 9.54
Speed m/s 1.65 1.61 1.57

It is from this second turn that Corbeau begins to fall off the pace. Marchand improves from first turn time, which was not the case with ZSC.

115 Meters To 150 Meters

Marchand ZSC C. Corbeau
Time (s) 23.43 23.42 23.83
Value in m/sec (D/T) 1.494 1.494 1.469

Marchand and ZSC log the same time through this portion, though ZSC significantly increase his tempo, taking 19 strokes compared to Marchand’s 16.

At 150 meters, the standings were as follows:

  • L.Marchand: 1:33.12
  • Stubblety Cook: + 1,18
  • C.Corbeau: +1,65

Third turn

Marchand ZSC C. Corbeau
Underwater (m) 11.72 9.41 1.64
Time (s) 7.06 5.43 6.44
Value in m/s 1.66 1.73 1.65
Time 15 meters 9.24 9.13 9.58
Speed (m/s) 1.623 1.643 1.566

In this last turn, ZSC’s underwater and stroke efficiency proved to have an advantage over Marchand. Relative to butterfly for example, the length of the underwater off the turn in breaststroke doesn’t seem to be as indicative to overall success.

165 Meters To 200 Meters

Marchand ZSC C.Corbeau
Time (s) 23.49 23.36 23.55
Value in m/sec (D/T) 1.490 1.498 1.486

This last closing section did not fundamentally change the face of the race.

Although ZSC was slightly faster, he could only take back a few hundredths to Marchand, who finished 94 one-hundredths ahead (2:05.95 to 2:06.79). Corbeau ended up more than two seconds back of Marchand for bronze in 2:07.90.

The graph below shows the near-symmetry of Marchand and ZSC’s races. Both built perfect races from the perspective of splitting, managing their stroke rates and getting the most out of what they had on the day.

Speed In m/s Per Section

It’s possible that if ZSC was on career-best form (2:05.95 PB), he and Marchand could’ve challenged the world record (2:05.48), but that one remains on the books for now.

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Smith - King - Walsh - Huske
1 month ago

Good job Caspar Corbeau, Zac Stubblety-Cook and Leon Marchand!! You all are great breaststrookers!!

O’Callaghan - Titmus - McKeon - McKeown
1 month ago

This is great data!! Thanks for providing this, SwimSwam!!

Joel
1 month ago

As I said below, ZSC had a bad injury in December. Plus he had covid in Paris. He would have been a lot closer.
I reckon Leon’s accomodation being right near the pool also helped a LOT. Don’t get me wrong, I do think Leon is absolutely amazing. But Leon did have scheduling changes and accomodation privileges that some did not have.
Btw, how many of the USA swimmers moved out of the village? I heard of a few but am unsure.

Olympicfanficfesalhdsoau
1 month ago

ZSC is so mean ;to Qin Haiyang and he cant accept losing

You havent even raced Qin yet and you’re going on a podium protest… like what the heck?
https://swimswam.com/aussie-zac-stubblety-cook-reportedly-considering-podium-protest-against-qin-haiyango/

Scotty
Reply to  Olympicfanficfesalhdsoau
1 month ago

I mean if I lost to someone who had twice beforehand returned positive doping tests and not served any ban, let’s just say I wouldn’t be thrilled!!

O’Callaghan - Titmus - McKeon - McKeown
Reply to  Scotty
1 month ago

Yeah and how many Olympics have you gone to again?

I miss the ISL (Go dawgs)
Reply to  Olympicfanficfesalhdsoau
1 month ago

Least obvious China bot

O’Callaghan - Titmus - McKeon - McKeown
Reply to  Olympicfanficfesalhdsoau
1 month ago

Well i mean you shouldn’t plan for a podium protest before you even know what happens…

RealCrocker5040
1 month ago

ZSC so overrated bro

Olympicfanficfesalhdsoau
Reply to  RealCrocker5040
1 month ago

Frrrrr like the world record isn’t even his… he’s all talk

Awsi Dooger
Reply to  RealCrocker5040
1 month ago

He just doesn’t know what he’s doing, like several of the top Australian swimmers. Flawed tactics equating to shrunken opportunity.

Dutch rowing was a great example of superior approach dramatically shifting the math. They had never won more than one gold in any Olympics. This time they prioritized the early breakout, with astounding success. One Dutch boat after another would have a half boat length lead over the field after 200 meters or less. It equated to 4 gold and 3 silver.

Joel
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
1 month ago

7 Gold medals says maybe Australia knows more than you Awsi.

Scotty
1 month ago

Underwaters in breaststroke seem criminally underrated, especially in LC.

Look at the ground Marchand and Corbeau made here and also Fink in the 100m. I’m surprised why this seemingly isn’t so well dialled in across the training for non US based or previously US based swimmers. Seems like an easy win to my novice self. Its surely a positive trade off to work on perfecting these skills at the expense of maybe slightly reducing yardage given the potential ground that can be made up at the start and turns?

Last edited 1 month ago by Scotty
MTK
Reply to  Scotty
1 month ago

Especially because breaststroke underwaters are comprised predominantly of gliding, as opposed to actively dolphin-kicking. Seems like an underwater pullout that carries you 12-15m has to be less physically taxing than 12-15m of dolphin kicking.

Last edited 1 month ago by MTK
FSR
1 month ago

I noted this on the 200 fly article but I think it is even MORE important here due to the peaks and valley’s of speed present in a breaststroke underwater. Given how ZSC’s UW’s are SIGNIFICANTLY shorter than Marchand’s his speed peaks will be much closer together (I.e. the push off the wall, the dolphin kick, and the pull-down portions of the underwater) allowing for less deceleration (I.e. smaller valleys). This likely skews the average speed (again I am assuming that the number we are seeing here is average speed, it is not stated) for ZSC’s UW’s and makes it very difficult to draw any comparison between them and Marchand’s UW’s. In order to draw any accurate conclusions we would… Read more »

Dom from France
Reply to  FSR
1 month ago

These are average speeds. A short underwater will be faster but will be slightly less effective on longer UW .
On the first table it can be easily deduced that it is better to make 53.7 to 1.90m/s of average than 42.4 to 1.93m/s. Indeed the part between 42.4 and 53.7 (11.3m) will only be at 1.50m/s (speed over the water)
Calculation ((42.4 x1.93) / 53.7) + ((11.3×1.5) /53.7) = 1.84m/s for 53.7 vs 1.90m/s for Marchand for the same distance. We can finally deduce the time difference: 53.7/1.84 = 29.18 instead of the 28.28 time of Marchand on the same distance.

Hiswimcoach
1 month ago

Leon’s double makes you really question all those that are saying that dressel swimming a mixed medley relay prelim affected his 100 fly semifinal. These athletes are capable of so much … it comes down to preparation with mental preparation probably being more important than physical.

Not a knock on Dressel, he had a mental lapse in that 100 fly semifinal, perhaps because he wasn’t mentally prepared for the double or perhaps because he wasn’t mentally prepared for what it felt like to not medal in the 50 free. Either way, I don’t think the prelims swim took too much of a physical toll on him (as evidenced by how well Leon handled his double).

Admin
Reply to  Hiswimcoach
1 month ago

Leon also had almost two hours. I don’t remember how big Dressel’s gap was but it wasn’t nearly that big.

Sapiens Ursus
Reply to  Hiswimcoach
1 month ago

Dressel also took a year off the sport which compromised his strenght and conditioning, whereas Marchand is a young aerobic machine who basically had perfrct ttwining cycles heading into the olympics.

Not a fair comparison, I think we all know 2017-2022 Dressel would not have been so negatively impacted by that

Hiswimcoach
Reply to  Sapiens Ursus
1 month ago

I’m sure dressel had the option whether he wanted the spot or not in the mixed medley. To me, he just didn’t show up for the 100 fly semi and I hate to say it but it would seem that it was due to his 50 free result (mental affect) more than being “tired”

The unoriginal Tim
Reply to  Hiswimcoach
1 month ago

Dressel had only 30 minutes vs 2 hours Leon got adter the schedule was changed. 2hrs barely counts as a double.

Noah Fence
Reply to  Hiswimcoach
1 month ago

This might be hard to grasp but Leon Marchand and Caelab Dressel are two different people that have different body types, are not the same age, swim different events, and train differently hope this helps

Last edited 1 month ago by Noah Fence