Leon Marchand Sprains Finger in Warmup, Leaves European Championships Early

2021 LEN EUROPEAN AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Leon Marchand posted an image of his sprained finger on Instagram Friday.

Leon Marchand, one of France’s, and Europe’s, top young prospects, has gone home from the European Championships after spraining a finger in the warmup pool

Marchand told SwimSwam on Friday that he ran into the swimmer in front of him in a warmup lane at the European Championships. The swimmer in front of him thought he was alone in the lane and didn’t sense Marchand’s presence.

Marchand is traveling back home to Tolouse, France, and will miss the 400 IM, where he was the 11th seed (4:14.97).

Marchand, who turned 19 earlier this week, is already the French Record holder in the 400 IM in long course, and is the country’s second-fastest swimmer ever in the 200 IM. He also holds French age group records in a number of other events.

He wasn’t entered in the 200 IM at this meet. He finished 14th in the semi-final of the 200 fly (1:57.77) and 28th in prelims of the 200 breast (2:13.40).

He is scheduled to move to American and join the Arizona State swim team in the fall of 2021.

While the risk of injury in crowded warmup pools has become somewhat of a meme for swimmers, this is not the first serious warmup pool injury we’ve seen at a high level meet. American Olympian Elizabeth Beisel fractured a finger in the warmup pool at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials.

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Ugh
2 years ago

Funny picture with that title. Get well soon

SwimmerNotSwammer
2 years ago

Was it his ring finger?

Marmot
2 years ago

As a high school freshman I broke three fingers the night before States. Swam prelims/finals in the 200 and 500 the next two days, plus 400 free relay.

Times have certainly changed. 😑

Joris Bohnson
Reply to  Marmot
2 years ago

Olympics in 2 months my brother

Swimming
Reply to  Marmot
2 years ago

there’s a difference between a high school freshman at some state meet and a national record-holder representing his country at an international competition. quite the gap

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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