2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
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Leon Marchand pulled off the unimaginable on Wednesday in Paris, winning a pair of individual gold medals less than two hours apart.
The Frenchman kicked things off by bringing the house down in the final of the men’s 200 butterfly, running down world record holder and defending champion Kristof Milak to win gold in 1:51.21, lowering Milak’s Olympic Record and surpassing Michael Phelps for #2 all-time to boot.
One-upping himself later in the session, Marchand upended another reigning champion in the 200 breaststroke, soaring to a time of 2:05.85 in the final to win gold in an Olympic Record.
Marchand handily beat defending champion Zac Stubblety-Cook by nearly one second, overtaking the Australian for #2 all-time in the event.
The pair of victories makes Marchand just the fourth swimmer in history to win two individual gold medals on the same day, joining East German Kornelia Ender, Australian Frederick Lane, and Hungarian Alfred Hajos.
Phelps is among the list of swimmers who have won two golds on the same day, but one of Phelps’ always came in a relay.
Ender, who was part of the East German doping regime in the 1970s—which she was unaware of, and ultimately banned from the team when she refused to take a drug in 1977—won gold in the women’s 200 free and 100 fly on July 22, 1976 during the Games in Montreal.
Lane won golds in the men’s 200 free at 200 obstacle events on the same day (August 12) at the 1900 Games in Paris, while Hajos won the men’s 100 and 1200 free on April 11, 1896, during the inaugural edition of the modern Olympic Games in Athens.
One swimmer who narrowly missed pulling off the feat was American John Naber, who won the 100 back and then took silver in the 200 free 40 minutes later in 1976.
Not only did Marchand win the two events on the same night, he unseated the reigning champion and broke their own Olympic Records in both races.
The Olympic schedule was notably shifted to create a bigger gap between the men’s 200 fly and 200 breast finals earlier this year, with Marchand’s coaches reportedly lobbying for the change.
To be honest, I thought it was completely impossible for Marchand to win the double. I have to admit that the limits of humanity still lie ahead.
It’s also so unique to do so in breast and fly
What an amazing accomplishment and to do it front of a home crowd? The atmosphere in person must have been insane.
And Lochte was close twice with the 2 IM and 2 back, no? P sure both times he did that double he medaled and it was the same day. (Tho maybe only one gold)
40 minutes is a lot different to the 2 hours Leon had. Leon had to beat Milak though.
The gap Lochte had was shorter as well so he couldn’t quite get it.
Phelps used to have the 2IM and 100 Fly close together and also the 200 Fly and 200 Free in the relay not far apart but that obviously isn’t the same.
Bob Bowman is the greatest coach to exist.
Any thoughts on the times/placement if the events had been in the other order—breast first then fly?
Marchand does not do what he did if that were the case. I think he’d gain a WR but lose a gold
I think it has some ciclist friends
Greatest session for a swimmer EVER. Absolutely ridiculous