France’s Léon Marchand rises to prominence as the next major star in Olympic swimming.

 In the past week, Léon Marchand has emerged as the newest sensation in international Olympic swimming, captivating a fervent Parisian crowd. At just 22 years old, the French swimmer, who previously had not won a gold medal, has now secured four individual golds in a single Olympics, joining the ranks of swimming legends like Mark Spitz and Michael Phelps.

Each of Marchand's victories this week, including his most recent one on Friday night where he celebrated by holding up four fingers, has also set new Olympic records.

Reflecting on his final individual race in the men’s 200-meter individual medley at La Defense arena, Marchand said, "It was incredible. The crowd was amazing. It was my last individual race here, so I made sure to savor every moment."

The excitement surrounding Marchand is palpable throughout Paris, where even skeptics of the Olympic Games cannot ignore the buzz. Everywhere you go, from taxi drivers to teenagers, the city is abuzz with Marchand fever. Restaurants halt their activities to watch his races, and crowds at the swimming venue burst into spirited renditions of "La Marseillaise" after each of his wins. Marchand is set to compete again in a team relay final on Sunday, with another gold medal within reach.

Interestingly, Marchand’s success is influenced by the American swimming system. He spends most of the year in the U.S. and recently competed for Arizona State University in the NCAA.

U.S. swimmer Regan Smith, who often trains alongside Marchand, praised his prowess. "I’ve shared a lane with him for over two years and witnessed his talent firsthand," Smith said. "Physically, he's exceptional, but what truly sets him apart is his mindset. He has this unique 'je ne sais quoi'—he knows how to get things done."

Marchand is coached by Bob Bowman, the renowned American trainer who helped develop Michael Phelps. Bowman has described Marchand as one of the all-time greats, stating, "I rank him at the top right now. He has the speed and endurance, and he hasn’t even reached his full potential."

Despite Marchand's success representing France, Bowman remains loyal to his American roots. "I’m still red, white, and blue at heart," he said.

Marchand plans to continue working with Bowman as he gears up for the next Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. "We’ve shared incredible moments and worked hard over the past three years," Marchand said. "I’m excited for what’s next, and I believe Bob will be instrumental in that."

When compared to Michael Phelps, Marchand expressed his honor, stating, "Phelps is a legend in swimming, and he always will be."